Detecting objects in three-dimensional laser radar range images

Statistical detection theory is used to develop the structure and performance of quasioptimal detection processors for 3-D coherent laser radar range imagery. Generalized likelihood-ratio tests (GLRTs) and receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) are presented for a detection scenario involving a variety of unknown object and background parameters. A computationally efficient, hard-limiter matched-filter processor is shown to yield performance closely approximating that of the GLRT.