Signal interception: a unifying theoretical framework for feature detection

Abstract

The unifying framework of the spectral-correlation theory of cyclostationary signals is used to present a broad treatment of weak, random signal detection for interception purposes. The relationships among a variety of previously proposed ad hoc detectors, optimum detectors, and newly proposed detectors are established. The spectral-correlation-plane approach to the interception problem is put forth as especially promising for detection, classification, and estimation in particularly difficult environments involving unknown and changing noise levels and interference activity. A fundamental drawback of the popular radiometric methods in such environments is explained.