Target Detection Using Quantized Cloud MIMO Radar Measurements

Target detection is studied for a cloud multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar using quantized measurements. According to the local sensor quantization strategies and fusion strategies, this paper discusses three methods: quantize local test statistics which are linearly fused (QTLF), quantize local test statistics which are optimally fused (QTOF), and quantize local received signals which are optimally fused (QROF). We first directly analyze the detection performance of each method when the quantizer output is represented as a discrete random variable, where it is difficult to obtain a closed-form expression for the detection probability. Then, an approximate description for the quantization is analyzed for the case of a Gaussian signal and a closed-form expression for the detection probability is obtained. We prove that the QTOF method outperforms the QTLF method in general, and for small SCNR the QROF method has the best detection performance among the three methods, while for large SCNR the QROF method performs the worst. The correctness of theoretical analysis is verified by simulations.