Probability Density Function: Aircraft Detection

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a probability density function related to aircraft detection, focusing on the received signal and noise components. Participants are examining the implications of signal presence and noise in the context of conditional probabilities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to apply Bayes' theorem and explore the relationship between the received signal and noise. There are discussions about the conditional probability density function and how it shifts based on the presence of an aircraft.

Discussion Status

Some participants have made progress in formulating integrals related to the probability density function, while others are questioning the validity of their expressions and the physical meaning behind certain terms. There is an ongoing exploration of how to evaluate specific integrals and clarify the bounds involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of the problem statement, which includes specific definitions for signal and noise, and are trying to reconcile their interpretations with the given symbols and terms. There is a noted assumption regarding the range of a parameter, which influences the discussion.

jegues
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Homework Statement



See figure attached.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I'm having trouble getting start with this one, but here's what I've got so far.

I assumed R is the signal received by the TDS.

[tex]P(R=X) = \mu \quad , \quad P(R=N) = 1 - \mu[/tex]

Now in part (a) I believe we are looking for,

[tex]P( X \geq \gamma A | R = X)[/tex]

The only other thing I can think of applying is Bayes rule,

[tex]P( X \geq \gamma A | R = X) = \frac{P(X \geq \gamma \cap R = X)}{P(R=X)}[/tex]

Also I think I have to incorporate the probability density function into the problem as well and I haven't done so yet.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks again!
 

Attachments

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I've made a little headway, I will add more work when I get some time to, but here's my idea:

[tex]R = N + X[/tex]

where,

[tex]X\in\{ 0 , A \}[/tex]

This simply shifts my Laplace PDF to the right by A units if there is an aircraft, and not otherwise.

So I should be able to describe a conditional PDF based on this.

More work when I return!
 
In the attachment, X is the received signal. When there is no aircraft, X = N; when there is one, X = A+N. Try to answer (a).
 
EDIT:

[tex]Y = X + N[/tex]

[tex]P_{Y|X}(y|X=A) = A + \frac{1}{2}e^{-|y|}[/tex][tex]P(Y \geq \gamma A | X =A) = \int_{\gamma A}^{\infty} (A + \frac{1}{2}e^{-|y|})dy[/tex]

Now how do I deal with that integral?
 
Last edited:
jegues said:
[tex]Y = X + N[/tex]
That still isn't the assignment of symbols you were given, which is going to be confusing. It is given as:
A = magnitude of the signal, if present
N = noise (random variable)
X = either N or A+N.
If we write S as the r.v. for the signal then S takes the values 0 and A, the latter with probability μ%. X = S+N.
[tex]P_{Y|X}(y|X=A) = A + \frac{1}{2}e^{-|y|}[/tex]
The LHS expresses a probability, apparently of a specific value of your Y (my X). Since it is a continuous r.v., any specific value has zero probability, but I guess we can think of it as a probability density. The RHS, more seriously, mixes a probability (the second term) with some other type of value (A, the signal strength if present). I guess you meant to write something like P[A+y < Y < A+y+δy|X=A] = δye-|y|/2. That will change your integral somewhat.
[tex]P(Y \geq \gamma A | X =A) = \int_{\gamma A}^{\infty} (A + \frac{1}{2}e^{-|y|})dy[/tex]
Now how do I deal with that integral?
Separate the integral into two ranges so that the modulus sign can be evaluated in each.
 
haruspex said:
That still isn't the assignment of symbols you were given, which is going to be confusing. It is given as:
A = magnitude of the signal, if present
N = noise (random variable)
X = either N or A+N.
If we write S as the r.v. for the signal then S takes the values 0 and A, the latter with probability μ%. X = S+N.

The LHS expresses a probability, apparently of a specific value of your Y (my X). Since it is a continuous r.v., any specific value has zero probability, but I guess we can think of it as a probability density. The RHS, more seriously, mixes a probability (the second term) with some other type of value (A, the signal strength if present). I guess you meant to write something like P[A+y < Y < A+y+δy|X=A] = δye-|y|/2. That will change your integral somewhat.

Separate the integral into two ranges so that the modulus sign can be evaluated in each.

I'm still quite confused.

Are you saying my integral is correct or I should be using your expression for the integral?

What I meant by my integral is to show that the Laplace PDF is simply shifted to the right by A when there is an aircraft present, and not shifted at all when there isn't an aircraft present.

What is the δ? There is no symbol given like that in the problem, so I don't know where you got that from.

Can you please clarify?

Thanks again!
 
jegues said:
Are you saying my integral is correct or I should be using your expression for the integral?
Your integral has to be wrong because the integrand makes no physical sense; it adds a signal level to a probability.
Do you agree that P[A+y < Y < A+y+δy|X=A] = δy e-|y|/2? So
P[Y < A+y|X=A] = ∫ye-|y|/2.dy
P[Y < γA|X=A] = ∫γA-Ae-|y|/2.dy
You'll need to consider two cases according to whether γ is more or less than 1.
 
Hello again haruspex,

haruspex said:
Your integral has to be wrong because the integrand makes no physical sense; it adds a signal level to a probability.
Do you agree that P[A+y < Y < A+y+δy|X=A] = δy e-|y|/2? So
Can you explain to me what the δ symbol is as there is no mention of it in the original question. Where is that coming from?

When X = A all that does is shift the pdf of N (given as pN(n) in the question) over to the right by A, correct?

haruspex said:
P[Y < A+y|X=A] = ∫ye-|y|/2.dy
P[Y < γA|X=A] = ∫γA-Ae-|y|/2.dy
You'll need to consider two cases according to whether γ is more or less than 1.

We are told in the question that,

[tex]0 < \gamma < 1[/tex]

so we only need to consider the one case then, correct?

Also, can you explain the bounds on your integrals? I only see an upper bound and no lower bound.

If I want the probability,

[tex]P(Y < \gamma A | X = A) = \int _{-\infty}^{\gamma A}\frac{1}{2}e^{-|y-A|}dy[/tex]

I would have written the limits of the integral as such.

Is this incorrect?

Can you explain where you are getting your limits from?
 
Last edited:
jegues said:
Can you explain to me what the δ symbol is as there is no mention of it in the original question. Where is that coming from?
The δ is implicit in the fact that it is a probability density function. For continuous r.v. X, if you're told the pdf is f(x), that simply means P[x < X < x+δx] → f(x)δx as δx→0.
When X = A all that does is shift the pdf of N (given as pN(n) in the question) over to the right by A, correct?
Yes.
We are told in the question that, [itex]0 < \gamma < 1[/itex] so we only need to consider the one case then, correct?
Yes.
Also, can you explain the bounds on your integrals? I only see an upper bound and no lower bound.
I assumed a lower bound of -∞.
[tex]P(Y < \gamma A | X = A) = \int _{-\infty}^{\gamma A}\frac{1}{2}e^{-|y-A|}dy[/tex]
That's equivalent to what I wrote.
 
  • #10
Good then we are on the same page!

So how do I go about simplifying,

[tex]P(Y < \gamma A | X = A) = \int _{-\infty}^{\gamma A}\frac{1}{2}e^{-|y-A|}dy[/tex]In fact, the probability I'm looking for in part a) should be this, (or simply 1 - the solution above)

[tex]P(Y \geq \gamma A | X = A) = \int _{\gamma A}^{\infty}\frac{1}{2}e^{-|y-A|}dy[/tex]

Correct?

But how do we deal with that integral, there is no closed form solution for that, right?
 
  • #11
jegues said:
In fact, the probability I'm looking for in part a) should be this, (or simply 1 - the solution above)

[tex]P(Y \geq \gamma A | X = A) = \int _{\gamma A}^{\infty}\frac{1}{2}e^{-|y-A|}dy[/tex]
Yes. I switched it to make it conform to the usual cdf form.
But how do we deal with that integral, there is no closed form solution for that, right?
As I said, you have to split the range so that you know how to evaluate |y-A| in each range. When y < A, |y-A| = A-y.
 

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