Modified input estimation technique using pseudoresiduals

An adaptive tracking filter for maneuvering targets is proposed using modified input estimation technique. Pseudoresiduals are defined using measurements and the velocity estimate at the hypothesized maneuver onset time. With the pseudoresiduals and a new target model representing transitions of nominal accelerations, a new input estimation method for tracking a maneuvering target is derived. Since the proposed detection technique is more sensitive to maneuvers than previous work, the shorter window length can be employed to detect and compensate target maneuvers. Also shown is that the tracking performance of the proposed filter is similar to that of interacting multiple model method (IMM) with 3 models, while computational loads of our method are drastically reduced     

Optimal Tracking of Maneuvering Targets

Maneuvering target motion is modeled by introducing a binary random variable in the target state equation. The optimal estimate is shown to be a weighted combination of two Kalman filter estimates with weights depending on the likelihood ratio for the detection of a maneuver. A tracking scheme is proposed for maneuvering target tracking and illustrated in an example.     

Generalized input-estimation technique for tracking maneuveringtargets

A new input estimation technique for target tracking problem is proposed. Conventional input estimation techniques assume that the target maneuver level is constant within the detection window, which has been the major drawback of the techniques. The proposed technique is developed to overcome this drawback by modeling the target maneuver as a linear combination of some basic time functions. The resulting algorithm has a generalized formulation including earlier works on input estimation. A detection performance of the proposed algorithm is analyzed by investigating the detection sensitivity according to the selection of maneuver models and other design parameters such as the detection window size, measurement noise level, and sampling step size. A computer simulation study shows that the estimation performance of the proposed algorithm is comparable to Bogler's input estimation method while the computation time is greatly reduced     

Tracking a maneuvering target using input estimation versus theinteracting multiple model algorithm

Two maneuvering-target tracking techniques are compared. The first, called input estimation, models the maneuver as constant unknown input, estimates its magnitude and onset time, and then corrects the state estimate accordingly. The second models the maneuver as a switching of the target state model, where the various state models can be of different dimension and driven by process noises of different intensities, and estimates the state according to the interacting multiple model (IMM) algorithm. While the first requires around twenty parallel filters, it is shown that the latter, implemented in the form of the IMM, performs equally well or better with two or three filters     

A sequential detection approach to target tracking

Sequential hypothesis testing is investigated for multiframe detection and tracking of low-observable maneuvering point-source targets in a digital image sequence. The proposed multiple multistage hypothesis test tracking (MMHTT) algorithm extends tracks formed from sequentially detected target trajectory segments using a multiple hypothesis tracking strategy. The MMHTT algorithm does not require a probabilistic larger maneuver model. Computational efficiency is achieved by using a truncated sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) to prune a dense tree of candidate target trajectories and score the detected trajectory segments. An analytical performance evaluation is presented and confirmed by experimental results from an optical satellite tracking application     

A tracking algorithm for maneuvering targets

A methodology for the tracking of maneuvering targets is presented. A quickest-detection scheme based on the innovation sequence is developed for a prompt detection of target maneuvers. The optimal length of a sliding window that minimizes the maneuver detection delay for a given false-alarm rate is determined. After maneuver detection, the system model is modified by adding a maneuver term. A recursive algorithm is proposed to estimate the maneuver magnitude. With this estimate, a modified Kalman filter is used for tracking. Simulation results demonstrate the superior performance of the algorithm, especially during target maneuvers     

Sequential track extraction

Sensors like radar or sonar usually produce data on the basis of a single frame of observation: target detections. The detection performance is described by quantities like detection probability Pd and false alarm density f. A different task of detection is formation of tracks of targets unknown in number from data of multiple consecutive frames of observation. This leads to quantities which are of a higher level of abstraction: extracted tracks. This again is a detection process. Under benign conditions (high Pd, low f and well separated targets) conventional methods of track initiation are recommended to solve a simple task. However, under hard conditions the process of track extraction is known to be difficult. We here concentrate on the case of well separated targets and derive an optimal combinatorial method which can be used under hard operating conditions. The method relates to MHT (multiple hypothesis tracking), uses a sequential likelihood ratio test and derives benefit from processing signal strength information. The performance of the track extraction method is described by parameters such as detection probability and false detection rate on track level, while Pd and f are input parameters which relate to the signal-to-noise interference ratio (SNIR), the clutter density, and the threshold set for target detection. In particular the average test lengths are analyzed parametrically as they are relevant for a user to estimate the time delay for track formation under hard conditions     

Modeling and Estimation for Tracking Maneuvering Targets

A new approach to the three-dimensional airborne maneuvering target tracking problem is presented. The method, which combines the correlated acceleration target model of Singer [3] with the adaptive semi-Markov maneuver model of Gholson and Moose [8], leads to a practical real-time tracking algorithm that can be easily implemented on a modern fire-control computer. Preliminary testing with actual radar measurements indicates both improved tracking accuracy and increased filter stability in response to rapid target accelerations in elevation, bearing, and range.     

Difference beam aided target detection in monopulse radar

The classical detection step in a monopulse radar system is based on the sum beam only,the performance of which is not optimal when target is not at the beam center. Target detection aided by the difference beam can improve the performance at this case. However, the existing difference beam aided target detectors have the problem of performance deterioration at the beam center, which has limited their application in real systems. To solve this problem, two detectors are proposed in this paper. Assuming the monopulse ratio is known, a generalized likelihood ratio test(GLRT) detector is derived, which can be used when targeting information on target direction is available. A practical dual-stage detector is proposed for the case that the monopulse ratio is unknown. Simulation results show that performances of the proposed detectors are superior to that of the classical detector.     

Maximum likelihood track-before-detect with fluctuating targetamplitude

An important problem in target tracking is the detection and tracking of targets in very low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) environments. In the past, several approaches have been used, including maximum likelihood. The major novelty of this work is the incorporation of a model for fluctuating target amplitude into the maximum likelihood approach for tracking of constant velocity targets. Coupled with a realistic sensor model, this allows the exploitation of signal correlation between resolution cells in the same frame, and also from one frame to the next. The fluctuating amplitude model is a first order model to reflect the inter-frame correlation. The amplitude estimates are obtained using a Kalman filter, from which the likelihood function is derived. A numerical maximization technique avoids problems previously encountered in “velocity filtering” approaches due to mismatch between assumed and actual target velocity, at the cost of additional computation. The Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) is derived for a constant, known amplitude case. Estimation errors are close to this CRLB even when the amplitude is unknown. Results show track detection performance for unknown signal amplitude is nearly the same as that obtained when the correct signal model is used     

Interacting acceleration compensation algorithm for trackingmaneuvering targets

The two-stage Kalman estimator has been studied for state estimation in the presence of random bias and applied to the tracking of maneuvering targets by treating the target acceleration as a bias vector. Since the target acceleration is considered a bias, the first stage contains a constant velocity motion model and estimates the target position and velocity, while the second stage estimates the target acceleration when a maneuver is detected, the acceleration estimate is used to correct the estimates of the first stage. The interacting acceleration compensation (IAC) algorithm is proposed to overcome the requirement of explicit maneuver detection of the two-stage estimator. The IAC algorithm is viewed as a two-stage estimator having two acceleration models: the zero acceleration of the constant velocity model and a constant acceleration model. The interacting multiple model (IMM) algorithm is used to compute the acceleration estimates that compensate the estimate of the constant velocity filter. Simulation results indicate the tracking performance of the IAC algorithm approaches that of a comparative IMM algorithm while requiring approximately 50% of the computations     

Directed Subspace Search ML-PDA with Application to Active Sonar Tracking

The maximum likelihood probabilistic data association (ML-PDA) tracking algorithm is effective in tracking Very Low Observable targets (i.e., very low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) targets in a high false alarm environment). However, the computational complexity associated with obtaining the track estimate in many cases has precluded its use in real-time scenarios. Previous ML-PDA implementations used a multi-pass grid (MPG) search to find the track estimate. Two alternate methods for finding the track estimate are presented-a genetic search and a newly developed directed subspace (DSS) search algorithm. Each algorithm is tested using active sonar scenarios in which an autonomous underwater vehicle searches for and tracks a target. Within each scenario, the problem parameters are varied to illustrate the relative performance of each search technique. Both the DSS search and the genetic algorithm are shown to be an order of magnitude more computationally efficient than the MPG search, making possible real-time implementation. In addition, the DSS search is shown to be the most effective technique at tracking a target at the lowest SNR levels-reliable tracking down to 5 dB (postprocessing SNR in a resolution cell) using a 5-frame sliding window is demonstrated, this being 6 dB better than the MPG search.     

A Decision?Directed Adaptive Tracker

In the design of a tracking filter for air traffic control (ATC) applications, a maneuvering aircraft can be modelled by a linear system with random noise accelerations. A Kalman filter tracker, designed on the basis of a variance chosen according to the distribution of the potential maneuver accelerations, will maintain track during maneuvers and provide some improvement in position accuracy. However, during those portions of the flight path where the aircraft is not maneuvering, the tracking accuracy will not be as good as if no acceleration noise had been allowed in the tracking filter. In this paper, statistical decision theory is used to derive an optimal test for detecting the aircraft maneuver; a more practical suboptimal test is then deduced from the optimal test. As long as no maneuver is declared, a simpler filter, based on a constant-velocity model, is used to track the aircraft. When a maneuver is detected, the tracker is reinitialized using stored data, up-dated to the present time, and then normal tracking is resumed as new data arrives. In essence, the tracker performs on the basis of a piecewise linear model in which the breakpoints are defined on-line using the maneuver detector. Simulation results show that there is a significant improvement in tracking capability using the decision-directed adaptive tracker.     

Robust extended Kalman filter with input estimation for maneuver tracking

This study investigates the problem of tracking a satellite performing unknown continuous maneuvers. A new method is proposed for estimating both the state and maneuver acceleration of the satellite. The estimation of the maneuver acceleration is obtained by the combination of an unbiased minimum-variance input and state estimation method and a low-pass filter. Then a threshold-based maneuver detection approach is developed to determinate the start and end time of the unknown maneuvers. During the maneuvering period, the estimation error of the maneuver acceleration is modeled as the sum of a fluctuation error and a sudden change error. A robust extended Kalman filter is developed for dealing with the acceleration estimate error and providing state estimation. Simulation results show that, compared with the Unbiased Minimum-variance Input and State Estimation (UMISE) method, the proposed method has the same position estimation accuracy, and the velocity estimation error is reduced by about 5 times during the maneuver period. Besides, the acceleration detection and estimation accuracy of the proposed method is much higher than that of the UMISE method.     

面向再入目标跟踪的估计与辨识联合优化算法

准确的弹道系数辨识和精确的目标状态估计是再入目标高精度跟踪与高可靠识别的关键。一方面,状态估计的误差会造成模型参数(弹道系数)的辨识风险;另一方面,模型参数的辨识偏差又会导致模型失配从而降低目标状态的估计精度。因此,需要实现再入目标的状态估计和参数辨识的联合优化。针对再入目标弹道系数未知情形,提出了一种基于期望最大化(EM)框架并采用粒子滤波(PF)平滑器实现的PF-EM联合优化算法。在E步基于粒子平滑器得到目标状态的后验平滑估计,M步采用数值优化算法更新上一次迭代的弹道系数,通过E步和M步的不断迭代,以保证状态估计和弹道系数辨识的一致性。算法仿真对比表明:所提算法的状态估计和参数辨识精度均优于传统的状态增广算法。     

Efficient target tracking using dynamic programming

A dynamic programming (DP) algorithm has been developed for the detection and tracking of subpixel-sized, low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) targets observed by side-or forward-looking imaging sensors. A distinguishing feature of this approach is that target detection and tracking are combined into a single optimization procedure that takes into account statistical models of target motion, background noise, and clutter. Current work has led to a number of technical innovations that improve the performance and efficiency of the DP tracking algorithm, including the development of a new track scoring function, and an extension to the basic DP algorithm that reduces computation requirements by over an order of magnitude. A prototype infrared (IR) target tracking system incorporating these enhancements has been implemented for a step-starting IR camera application. Sensitivity improvements of several decibels over conventional sequential detection and tracking algorithms were realized     

子空间干扰加高斯杂波背景下基于 GLRT的斜对称方向检测器设计

文章研究了背景为子空间干扰加高斯杂波的距离扩展目标方向检测问题。杂波是均值为零协方差矩阵未知但具有斜对称特性的高斯杂波,目标与干扰分别通过具备斜对称特性的目标子空间和干扰子空间描述。针对方向检测问题,利用上述斜对称性,根据广义似然比检验(Generalized Likeli-hood Ratio Test,GLRT)准则的一步与两步设计方法,设计了基于 GLRT的一步法与两步法的距离扩展目标方向检测器。通过理论推导证明了这 2种检测器相对于未知杂波协方差矩阵都具有恒虚警率。对比相同背景下已有检测器,特别是在辅助数据有限的场景下,文章提出的 2个检测器表现出了优越的检测性能。     

基于高斯混合概率假设密度滤波的扫描型光学传感器像平面多目标跟踪算法

高斯混合概率假设密度(GM-PHD)滤波是一种基于随机有限集理论的次优贝叶斯多目标跟踪方法,本文研究了该算法在扫描型光学传感器像平面的多目标跟踪问题.针对典型的锥扫模式和推扫模式,根据其扫描特性建立目标的运动模型和测量模型.介绍高斯混合概率假设密度滤波的基本原理.针对原算法在强杂波环境中的低效率问题,借鉴传统多目标跟踪...     

Enhanced variable dimension filter for maneuvering target tracking

An enhancement of the variable dimension (VD) filter for maneuvering-target tracking is presented. The use of measurement concatenation, a procedure whereby fast sampled measurements are stacked while maintaining their proper relationships with the states, leads to significant reduction in estimation error by low processing rate algorithms. The use of double decision logic (DDL) for the maneuver onset and ending detection as well as appropriate procedures for reinitialization of the estimation filters results in improved maneuver detection and filter adaptation. Simulation results show the performance of the proposed enhanced variable dimension (EVD) filter     

Performance Analysis of the Censored Mean-Level Detector

The censored mean-level detector (CMLD) is an alternative to the mean-level detector that achieves robust detection performance in a multiple-target environment by censoring several of the largest samples of the maximum likelihood estimate of the background noise level. Here we derive exact expressions for the probability of detection of the CMLD in a multiple-target environment when a fixed number of Swerling II targets are present. The primary target is modeled by Swerling case II, and only single-pulse processing is analyzed. Optimization of the CMLD parameters is considered, and a comparison to other detectors is presented.