Nowadays, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) radars are very interesting in applications of radars, particularly, in detection of low radar cross section (RCS) targets. In this paper, we find a generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) detector for detecting a moving target with swerling case I and swerling case II models using an OFDM radar. We assume three scenarios for detecting a fluctuating target in the presence of Gaussian disturbance in OFDM radar, and then evaluate the GLR detector’s performance.

In the first scenario, we consider the scattering coefficients of target are constant subcarrier to subcarrier, and pulse to pulse in a burst of pulses while they are fluctuating according to swerling case II model burst to burst. In the second scenario, we assume the RCS of target is fluctuating according to swerling case I model subcarrier to subcarrier and it is fluctuating according to swerling case II model burst to burst while they are constant pulse to pulse in a burst of pulses. Finally, in the third scenario, we assume the scattering coefficients of target vary with swerling case II model subcarrier to subcarrier, and burst to burst while they are constant pulse to pulse in a burst of pulses.

OFDM radar, detection, swerling model, generalized likelihood ratio test.