To accomplish the target identification in real time during a pulse repetition period, a binary hypothesis test model was firstly established for the scattering signature of a conducting target illuminated by an E-pulse waveform. According to the model, a generalized likelihood ratio test rule was developed for the target identification, and then the analytical expression to calculate the target identification performance was theoretically given. The simulation and analytically calculated results based on scattering signatures of three finite thin wire targets show that the simulation performance of the proposed method is excellently consistent with its analytical results, and is superior to that of the method using directly transmitted E pulse.