A distribution-free procedure applicable to the detection of a signal in some element of a multiple-resolution-element radar is described. The procedure is based on rank-order statistics and is applicable to either a sequential or fixed-sample-size test; however, emphasis is placed on the sequential procedure. Results are given showing the expected sample size and probability of detection for the case of envelope detection (square-law or linear) of a fluctuating signal (Swerling model 2). A comparison is made with the optimum parametric sequential procedure.

A device for performing binary integration on quantized data from a multiple-resolution-element radar is described. The moving window detector is described, and expressions for false-alarm and detection probabilities are given. A scheme for determining the optimum detection thresholds and the optimum quantizing levels is given. Application of the moving window detector to a particular multiple-range-element radar is described.