Interference Detection Algorithms: A Comparative Study

Abstract—Two algorithms used in microwave radiometry for radio-frequency interference (RFI) detection and mitigation are the pulse detection algorithm and the kurtosis detection algorithm. The relative performance of the algorithms is compared both ana-lytically and empirically. Their probabilities of false alarm under RFI-free conditions and of detection when RFI is present are ex-amined. The downlink data rate required to implement each algo-rithm in a spaceborne application is also considered. The kurtosis algorithm is compared to a pulse detection algorithm operating under optimal RFI detection conditions. The performance of both algorithms is also analyzed as a function of varying characteristics of the RFI. The RFI detection probabilities of both algorithms under varying subsampling conditions are compared and vali-dated using data obtained from a field campaign. Implementation details, resource usage, and postprocessing requirements are also addressed for both algorithms. Index Terms—Detectors, noise measurement, radiometry, radio spectrum management, remote sensing. I