Fast estimation of false alarm probabilities of STAP detectors - the AMF

This paper describes an attempt to harness the power of adaptive importance sampling techniques for estimating false alarm probabilities of detectors that use space-time adaptive processing. Fast simulation using these techniques have been notably successful in the study of conventional constant false alarm rate radar detectors, and in several other applications. The principal task here is to examine the viability of using importance sampling methods for STAP detection. Though a modest beginning, the adaptive matched filter detection algorithm is analysed successfully using fast simulation. Of the two biasing methods considered, one is implemented and shown to yield excellent results. The important problem of detector threshold determination is also addressed, with matching outcome. The work reported here serves to pave the way to development of more advanced estimation techniques that can facilitate design of powerful and robust detection algorithms designed to counter hostile and heterogeneous clutter environments.