A multipath data association tracker for over-the-horizon radar

A new algorithm, multipath probabilistic data association (MPDA), for initiation and tracking in over-the-horizon radar (OTHR) is described. MPDA is capable of exploiting multipath target signatures arising from discrete propagation modes that are resolvable by the radar. Nonlinear measurement models exhibiting multipath target signatures in azimuth, slant range, and Doppler are used. Tracking is performed in ground coordinates and therefore depends on the provision of estimates of virtual ionospheric heights to achieve coordinate registration. Although the propagation mode characteristics are assumed to be known, their correspondence with the detections is not required to be known. A target existence model is included for automatic track maintenance. Numerical simulations for four resolvable propagation modes are presented that demonstrate the ability of the technique to initiate and maintain track at probabilities of detection of 0.4 per mode in clutter densities for which conventional probabilistic data association (PDA) has a high probability of track loss, and suffers from track bias. A nearest neighbor version of MPDA is also presented     

Association of tracks from over the horizon radar

In Over-The-Horizon Radar (OTHR), multiple ionospheric layers cause several tracks per target to be observed. This effect causes ambiguities in target identification and track coordinate registration. A pattern classification approach is proposed for associating tracks. Neural networks and statistical methods are applied to combine track affinities and associate pairs of tracks. The proposed approach provides a practical and efficient way of dealing with multiple track association when the number of targets is large and optimal. Bayesian hypothesis testing is not practical     

IMMPDAF for radar management and tracking benchmark with ECM

A framework is presented for controlling a phased array radar for tracking highly maneuvering targets in the presence of false alarms (FAs) and electronic countermeasures (ECMs). Algorithms are presented for track formation and maintenance; adaptive selection of target revisit interval, waveform and detection threshold; and neutralizing techniques for ECM, namely, against a standoff jammer (SOJ) and range gate pull off (RGPO). The interacting multiple model (IMM) estimator in combination with the probabilistic data association (PDA) technique is used for tracking. A constant false alarm rate (CFAR) approach is used to adaptively select the detection threshold and radar waveform, countering the effect of jammer-induced false measurements. The revisit interval is selected adaptively, based on the predicted angular innovation standard deviations. This tracker/radar-resource-allocator provides a complete solution to the benchmark problem for target tracking and radar control. Simulation results show an average sampling interval of about 2.5 s while maintaining a track loss less than the maximum allowed 4%     

天波超视距雷达的发展

 天波超视距雷达 (OTHR)是一种利用电离层对高频信号的反射作用自上而下进行目标探测的雷达体制。由于该雷达具有大范围的监视能力、防低空突袭、抗隐身以及早期预警等突出优点 ,受到了许多国家的重视。首先介绍了OTHR的性能特点及发展历史 ,接着就雷达的总体结构、干扰的抑制、由电离层引起的信号失真的校正 ,以及信号检测进行了全面的综述 ,最后指出这一领域今后的发展方向。     

Maximum likelihood angle extractor for two closely spaced targets

In a scenario of closely spaced targets special attention has to be paid to radar signal processing. We present an advanced processing technique, which uses the maximum likelihood (ML) criterion to extract from a monopulse radar separate angle measurements for unresolved targets. This processing results in a significant improvement, in terms of measurement error standard deviations, over angle estimators using the monopulse ratio. Algorithms are developed for Swerling I as well as Swerling III models of radar cross section (RCS) fluctuations. The accuracy of the results is compared with the Cramer Rao lower bound (CRLB) and also to the monopulse ratio technique. A novel technique to detect the presence of two unresolved targets is also discussed. The performance of the ML estimator was evaluated in a benchmark scenario of closely spaced targets - closer than half power beamwidth of a monopulse radar. The interacting multiple model probabilistic data association (IMMPDA) track estimator was used in conjunction with the ML angle extractor     

Interacting multiple model tracking with target amplitude feature

A recursive tracking algorithm is presented which uses the strength of target returns to improve track formation performance and track maintenance through target maneuvers in a cluttered environment. This technique combines the interacting multiple model (IMM) approach with a generalized probabilistic data association (PDA), which uses the measured return amplitude in conjunction with probabilistic models for the target and clutter returns. Key tracking decisions can be made automatically by assessing the probabilities of target models to provide rapid and accurate decisions for both true track acceptance and false track dismissal in track formation. It also provides the ability to accurately continue tracking through coordinated turn target maneuvers     

PDAF with multiple clutter regions and target models

This paper presents the theory of a new multiple model probabilistic data association filter (PDAF). The analysis is generalized for the case of multiple nonuniform clutter regions within the measurement data that updates each model of the filter. To reduce the possibility of clutter measurements forming established tracks, the solution includes a model for a visible target. That is, a target that gives sensor measurements that satisfy one of the target models. Other features included in the algorithm are the selection of a fixed number of nearest measurements and the addition of signal amplitude to the target state vector. The nonuniform clutter model developed here is applicable to tracking signal amplitude. Performance of this algorithm is illustrated using experimentally recorded over-the-horizon radar (OTHR) data.     

修正极坐标系下雷达与ESM航迹对准关联

研究了存在系统误差时修正极坐标系(MPC)下的雷达与电子支援措施(ESM)航迹关联问题。系统误差导致MPC下雷达和ESM的角度估计产生偏移,而对角度变化率、距变率与距离的比值(ITG)的估计影响不大;结合非中心卡方分布的知识,分析了雷达与ESM的测量误差对非中心参数和正确关联概率的影响;提出了一种基于积分重合度的雷达与ESM航迹对准关联算法。首先将雷达与ESM的目标映射到角度-角度变化率空间,分别得到了雷达与ESM的目标曲线,然后对两目标曲线求积分重合度,估计出雷达与ESM测角系统误差的偏移量,对偏移量补偿后进行雷达与ESM的航迹关联。仿真结果表明,本文所提算法能有效地提高存在系统误差时雷达与ESM正确航迹关联概率。     

基于OTHR与纯角度传感器群数据关联的模式辨识与定位精度提升

 天波超视距雷达(OTHR)目标跟踪面临着"三低"(低检测概率、低数据率和低测量精度)和"多径"(多条传播路径)的挑战,因此传播模式的准确辨识与目标定位精度提升是改善跟踪能力的关键。首先利用纯角度传感器群获得目标地理位置的初步估计,然后采用极大似然估计建立了OTHR的传播模式和杂波模式的辨识规则,进而利用最小方差估计准则实现OTHR和纯角度传感器群的量测融合。仿真结果表明,此算法的模式辨识正确率很高,能明显提升方位角的测量精度,但是不能明显提升径向距的精度。     

Suboptimal joint probabilistic data association

A significant problem in multiple target tracking is the hit-to-track data association. A hit is a received signal from a target or background clutter which provides positional information. If an incorrect hit is associated with a track, that track could diverge and terminate. Prior methods for this data association problem include various optimal and suboptimal two-dimensional assignment algorithms which make hit-to-track associations. Another method is to assign a weight for the reasonable hits and use a weighted centroid of those hits to update the track. The method of weighting the hits is known as joint probabilistic data association (JPDA). The authors review the JPDA approach and a simple ad hoc approximation and then introduce a new suboptimal JPDA algorithm. Examples which compare an optimal two-dimensional assignment algorithm with the ad hoc and the new suboptimal JPDA formulation are given     

Stochastic-constraints method in nonstationary hot-cluttercancellation. I. Fundamentals and supervised training applications

This paper considers the use of spatio-temporal adaptive array processing in over-the-horizon radar (OTHR) and airborne radar applications in order to remove nonstationary multipath interference, known as “hot clutter”. Since the spatio-temporal properties of hot clutter cannot be assumed constant over the coherent processing interval (CPI), conventional adaptive techniques fail to provide effective hot-clutter mitigation without simultaneously degrading the properties of the backscattered radar signals, known as “cold clutter”. The approach presented incorporates multiple “stochastic” (data-dependent) constraints to achieve effective hot-clutter suppression, while maintaining distortionless output cold-clutter post-processing stationarity     

基于视觉注意机制的认知雷达数据关联算法

针对传统关联波门设计方法在应用于机动目标跟踪时容易引起失跟、以及概率数据关联算法不适于多交叉目标跟踪的问题,提出了一种基于人类视觉选择性注意机制和知觉客体的"特征整合"理论的认知雷达数据关联算法。算法以综合交互式多模型概率数据关联算法为基础,采取假设目标最大机动水平已知的"当前"统计模型和匀速运动模型作为模型集,通过实时交互使关联波门能够随目标机动动态调整,较好地兼顾了雷达计算耗时和跟踪成功率。在利用目标位置特征的基础上,进一步提取、整合目标运动特征,对关联波门交叉区域公共量测进行分类,使多交叉目标跟踪问题转化为多个单目标跟踪问题,优化了传统概率数据关联算法。仿真结果表明：与传统关联波门设计方法相比,算法跟踪失败率和计算耗时明显降低;而且在计算资源增加不大的情况下,杂波环境适应性也得到了显著增强。     

Tracking with classification-aided multiframe data association

In most conventional tracking systems, only the target kinematic information from, for example, a radar or sonar or an electro-optical sensor, is used in measurement-to-track association. Target class information, which is typically used in postprocessing, can also be used to improve data association to give better tracking accuracy. The use of target class information in data association can improve discrimination by yielding purer tracks and preserving their continuity. In this paper, we present the simultaneous use of target classification information and target kinematic information for target tracking. The approach presented integrates target class information into the data association process using the 2-D (one track list and one measurement list) as well as multiframe (one track list and multiple measurement lists) assignments. The multiframe association likelihood is developed to include the classification results based on the "confusion matrix" that specifies the accuracy of the target classifier. The objective is to improve association results using class information when the kinematic likelihoods are similar for different targets, i.e., there is ambiguity in using kinematic information alone. Performance comparisons with and without the use of class information in data association are presented on a ground target tracking problem. Simulation results quantify the benefits of classification-aided data association for improved target tracking, especially in the presence of association uncertainty in the kinematic measurements. Also, the benefit of 5-D (or multiframe) association versus 2-D association is investigated for different quality classifiers. The main contribution of this paper is the development of the methodology to incorporate exactly the classification information into multidimensional (multiframe) association.     

利用幅值信息的超视距雷达多路径概率数据互联算法

天波超视距雷达是通过电离层反射实现超视距广域监视的,其地理坐标系下的量测方程存在强非线性,同时由于电离层的不同分层,造成了多路径传播的严重问题,即同时存在多个量测模型。多路径概率数据互联(MPDA)滤波器将坐标配准与概率数据互联相结合,解决了超视距目标跟踪中的多路径传播问题,但在杂波环境下滤波跟踪精度不高。文中提出了一种基于信号幅值特征信息的MPDA算法(A-MPDA),当跟踪单一的、存在4种可能非线性量测的非机动目标时,仿真结果表明所提出的算法比标准MPDA有更好的跟踪精度。     

Microwave Radiometric Sensing for Air Navigation

This paper discusses the results of an analytic study of the feasibility of using microwave radiometry as a technique for navigation data sensing in Army aircraft. The study included a review of Army aircraft characteristics and navigation requirements. Various means of sensing passively aircraft velocity, altitude, and velocity-altitude ratio were considered. While there appears to be no practical method for direct measurement of either velocity or altitude separately, it does appear possible to measure velocity-altitude ratio by comparing radiometric signals received from the terrain along the aircraft ground track. When combined with a radar altimeter, such a sensor could yield navigation data compatible with Army aircraft requirements. Microwave radiometry may also be the basis for direction sensing (to known landmarks) in high-flying aircraft or satellites.     

基于均值-方差联合检验的航迹欺骗干扰识别

以集中式融合结构雷达网为研究背景,从电子战飞机(ECAV)产生虚假航迹的原理出发,针对真/假航迹空间分布差异,提出了基于均值-方差联合检验的航迹欺骗干扰识别技术。首先分析了真/假航迹的统计特性差异,然后利用多个时刻航迹的坐标差,并通过坐标差的协方差阵对角化和归一化处理来构造检验样本,最后利用似然比统计检验的方法实现了虚假航迹的识别。仿真结果表明该技术能够对航迹欺骗干扰进行有效的识别,在雷达测距精度、测角精度变化的条件下仍能保持较高的识别率。     

Track formation with bearing and frequency measurements in clutter

Target motion analysis from a narrowband passive sonar that yields bearing and frequency measurements in the presence of false detections (clutter) in a low-SNR (low signal-to-noise ratio) environment is discussed. The likelihood function used to compute the maximum likelihood estimation of the track parameters (localization and frequency) incorporates the false alarms via the probabilistic data association technique. The Cramer-Rao lower bound is calculated and results obtained from simulations are shown to be compatible with it. A test of track acceptance is also presented     

Multiple model PMHT and its application to the benchmark radar tracking problem

The probabilistic multiple hypothesis tracker (PMHT) uses the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm to solve the measurement-origin uncertainty problem. Here, we explore some of its variants for maneuvering targets and in particular discuss the multiple model PMHT. We apply this PMHT to the six "typical" tracking scenarios given in the second benchmark problem from W. D. Blair and G. A. Watson (1998). The manner in which the PMHT is used to track the targets and to manage radar allocation is discussed, and the results compared with those of the interacting multiple model probabilistic data association filter (IMM/PDAF) and IMM/MHT (multiple hypothesis tracker). The PMHT works well: its performance lies between those of the IMM/PDAF and IMM/MHT both in terms of tracking performance and computational load.     

Over-the-horizon radar surveillance of airfields for counterdrugapplications

Airfield surveillance utilizing over-the-horizon radar (OTHR) offers the opportunity to gather significant intelligence concerning activity levels at suspect drug smuggling airports. It also provides the potential to classify aircraft initially from observed takeoff data, which would be helpful in interdiction efforts. This paper discusses the radar signal components and signal processing techniques required to accomplish this capability. An actual takeoff, observed by SRI International's Wide Aperture Research Facility (WARF), illustrates how the range-Doppler display plays an important role in developing and automating this capability. The ultimate capability is automatic takeoff recognition, initial target classification, rate of climb indication, and track to destination-all important contributions to the counterdrug command, control, and interdiction team