Patent ID: 8693288

Claim:
A method for characterizing a plurality of data sets as random noise for use in a sonar system, the data sets being based on a plurality of measurements of a physical phenomena, said method comprising the steps of: inputting data points from a first data set of the plurality of data sets; creating a three-dimensional convex hull enclosing the data points of the first data set; ensuring that the convex hull comprises a three-dimensional curvature that passes through at least four non-coplanar data points from the first data set; partitioning the three-dimensional convex hull into a plurality of three-dimensional cells; classifying the first data set as a sized sample based on a selected parameter; utilizing a first plurality of tests for the first data set as being random noise when the first data set is classified as a large sized sample; and utilizing a second plurality of tests for characterizing the first data set as being random noise when the first data is classified to be a small sized sample.