Tracking in Clutter using IMM-IPDA?Based Algorithms

We describe three single-scan probabilistic data association (PDA) based algorithms for tracking manoeuvering targets in clutter. These algorithms are derived by integrating the interacting multiple model (IMM) estimation algorithm with the PDA approximation. Each IMM model a posteriori state estimate probability density function (pdf) is approximated by a single Gaussian pdf. Each algorithm recursively updates the probability of target existence, in the manner of integrated PDA (IPDA). The probability of target existence is a track quality measure, which can be used for false track discrimination. The first algorithm presented, IMM-IPDA, is a single target tracking algorithm. Two multitarget tracking algorithms are also presented. The IMM-JIPDA algorithm calculates a posteriori probabilities of all measurement to track allocations, in the manner of the joint IPDA (JIPDA). The number of measurement to track allocations grows exponentially with the number of shared measurements and the number of tracks which share the measurements. Therefore, IMM-JIPDA can only be used in situations with a small number of crossing targets and low clutter measurement density. The linear multitarget IMM-IPDA (IMM-LMIPDA) is also a multitarget tracking algorithm, which achieves the multitarget capabilities by integrating linear multitarget (LM) method with IMM-IPDA. When updating one track using the LM method, the other tracks modulate the clutter measurement density and are subsequently ignored. In this fashion, LM achieves multitarget capabilities using the number of operations which are linear in the: number of measurements and the number of tracks, and can be used in complex scenarios, with dense clutter and a large number of targets.     

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...     

Diffusion analysis of track loss in clutter

In tracking a target through clutter, the selection of incorrect measurements for track updating causes track divergence and eventual loss of track. The plot-to-track association algorithm is modeled as a Markov process and the tracking error is modeled as a diffusion process in order to study the mechanism of track loss analytically, without recourse to Monte Carlo simulations, for nearest-neighbor association in two space dimensions. The time evolution of the error distribution is examined, and the connection of the approach with diffusion theory is discussed. Explicit results showing the dependence of various performance parameters, such as mean time to lose track and track half-life, on the clutter spatial density are presented. The results indicate the existence of a critical density region in which the tracking performance degrades rapidly with increasing clutter density. An optimal gain adaptation procedure that significantly improves the tracking performance in the critical region is proposed     

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     

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     

Track-before-detect for Infrared Maneuvering Dim Multi-target via MM-PHD

In this paper, we present a novel and efficient track-before-detect (TBD) algorithm based on multiple-model probability hypothesis density (MM-PHD) for tracking infrared maneuvering dim multi-target. Firstly, the standard sequential Monte Carlo probability hypothesis density (SMC-PHD) TBD-based algorithm is introduced and sequentially improved by the adaptive process noise and the importance re-sampling on particle likelihood, which result in the improvement in the algorithm robustness and convergence speed. Secondly, backward recursion of SMC-PHD is derived in order to ameliorate the tracking performance especially at the time of the multi-target arising. Finally, SMC-PHD is extended with multiple-model to track maneuvering dim multi-target. Extensive experiments have proved the efficiency of the presented algorithm in tracking infrared maneuvering dim multi-target, which produces better performance in track detection and tracking than other TBD-based algorithms including SMC-PHD, multiple-model particle filter (MM-PF), histogram probability multi-hypothesis tracking (H-PMHT) and Viterbi-like.     

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     

False alarm effects on estimation in multitarget trackers

An analysis of false alarm effects on tracking filter performance in multitarget track-while-scan radars, using variable correlation gates, is presented. The false alarms considered originate from noise, clutter, and crossing targets. The dimensions of the correlation gates are determined by filter prediction and measurement error variances. Track association is implanted either by means of a distance weighted average of the observations or by the nearest neighbor rule. State estimation is performed by means of a second-order discrete Kalman filter, taking into consideration random target maneuvers. Measurements are made in polar coordinates, while target dynamics are estimated in Cartesian coordinates, resulting in coupled linear filter equations. the effect of false alarms on the observation noise covariance matrix, and hence on state estimation errors, is analyzed. A computer simulation example, implementing radar target tracking with a variable correlation gate in the presence of false alarms, is discussed     

基于SVM算法的虚假航迹识别

针对云雨杂波和主被动干扰导致多雷达传感器产生虚假目标航迹的问题,利用支持向量机(SVM)算法的自主学习能力,通过构建基于数据驱动的判别模型进行虚假航迹识别。针对航迹起始得到的目标潜在航迹,利用人工智能数据驱动、自学习的特点,设计了SVM算法。通过对已标记真假的目标航迹样本进行离线学习,形成虚假航迹识别的SVM分类器,实现了基于数据驱动的判别模型代替先验知识规则约束的固定模型,并在工程应用中,利用SVM分类器在线识别虚假航迹,完成实时剔除。通过实测雷达数据实验验证,该算法的目标虚假航迹准确率高达95%以上,完全满足实际的工程应用需求。相比基于阈值或规则进行硬性判断的传统虚假航迹识别方法,所提出的算法不仅提高了准确率,还具有较高的实时性,能够适应复杂多变的杂波环境,在实际应用中具有更强的适应性和实用性。因此,提出的基于SVM算法的虚假航迹识别方法对于密集杂波场景下的虚假航迹剔除问题具有显著的实际应用价值。     

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%     

An Algorithm for Tracking a Maneuvering Target in Clutter

We consider the problem of tracking a maneuvering target in clutter. In such an environment, missed detections and false alarms make it impossible to decide, with certainty, the origin of received echoes. Processing radar returns in cluttered environments consists of three functions: 1) target detection and plot formation, 2) plot-to-track association, and 3) track updating. Two inadequacies of the present approaches are 1) Optimization of detection characteristics have not been considered and 2) features that can be used in the plot-to-track correlation process are restricted to a specific class. This paper presents a new approach to overcome these limitations. This approach facilitates tracking of a maneuvering target in clutter and improves tracking performance for weak targets.     

基于相位相关的部分可辨编队精细起始算法

针对部分可辨条件下编队目标的精细起始难题,提出了一种基于相位相关的部分可辨编队精细起始算法。首先,采用基于坐标映射距离差分的快速群分割与基于编队中心点的预互联对雷达量测进行预处理;然后,利用图像匹配中相位相关特性,将相邻时刻编队结构进行补偿对准,解决了低目标发现概率情况下的编队结构对准问题;最后,采用增加虚拟量测并后验判决的方式,结合最近邻法做编队航迹精细互联,在填补航迹缺失、增加正确航迹的同时抑制虚假航迹的产生。经仿真验证,与修正的逻辑法、基于相对位置矢量的灰色编队精细起始算法相比,本文所提算法在提高航迹正确起始率、抑制虚假航迹方面性能优势显著,且对环境杂波与雷达精度具有较好的鲁棒性,对目标发现概率具有较好的适应性。     

密集杂波背景下的水下多目标跟踪方法

水下多目标跟踪是水声信号处理领域研究的热点和难点问题。高斯混合概率假设密度（Gaussian mixture probability hypothesis density, GM-PHD）滤波器以其高效的计算效率为解决水下多目标跟踪问题提供了保证。然而，GM-PHD滤波器在跟踪目标时需要先验已知新生目标的强度，否则其性能会出现严重退化。针对该问题，提出一种滑动窗两步初始化高斯混合概率假设密度（sliding window two step initialization GM-PHD, SWTSI-GMPHD）滤波器。将提出的滑动窗两步初始化方法嵌入GM-PHD滤波器，利用滑动窗两步初始化方法估计新生目标强度，减少杂波干扰导致跟踪结果中出现的虚假目标。仿真实验表明，在杂波密集环境下，相较于其他跟踪方法，提出方法将跟踪精度提高69.84%，52.62%和41.05%。     

Multitarget tracking using the joint multitarget probability density

This work addresses the problem of tracking multiple moving targets by recursively estimating the joint multitarget probability density (JMPD). Estimation of the JMPD is done in a Bayesian framework and provides a method for tracking multiple targets which allows nonlinear target motion and measurement to state coupling as well as nonGaussian target state densities. The JMPD technique simultaneously estimates both the target states and the number of targets in the surveillance region based on the set of measurements made. We give an implementation of the JMPD method based on particle filtering techniques and provide an adaptive sampling scheme which explicitly models the multitarget nature of the problem. We show that this implementation of the JMPD technique provides a natural way to track a collection of targets, is computationally tractable, and performs well under difficult conditions such as target crossing, convoy movement, and low measurement signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).     

Passive ranging of a low observable ballistic missile in agravitational field

In this paper we present an estimation algorithm for tracking the motion of a low-observable target in a gravitational field, for example, an incoming ballistic missile (BM), using angle-only measurements. The measurements, which are obtained from a single stationary sensor, are available only for a short time. Also, the low target detection probability and high false alarm density present a difficult low-observable environment. The algorithm uses the probabilistic data association (PDA) algorithm in conjunction with maximum likelihood (ML) estimation to handle the false alarms and the less-than-unity target detection probability. The Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) in clutter, which quantifies the best achievable estimator accuracy for this problem in the presence of false alarms and nonunity detection probability, is also presented. The proposed estimator is shown to be efficient, that is, it meets the CRLB, even for low-observable fluctuating targets with 6 dB average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). For a BM in free flight with 0.6 single-scan detection probability, one can achieve a track detection probability of 0.99 with a negligible probability of false track acceptance     

Track labeling and PHD filter for multitarget tracking

Multiple target tracking requires data association that operates in conjunction with filtering. When multiple targets are closely spaced, the conventional approaches (as, e.g., MHT/assignment) may not give satisfactory results. This is mainly because of the difficulty in deciding what the number of targets is. Recently, the probability hypothesis density (PHD) filter has been proposed and particle filtering techniques have been developed to implement the PHD filter. In the particle PHD filter, the track labeling problem is not considered, i.e., the PHD is obtained only for a frame at a time, and it is very difficult to perform the multipeak extraction, particularly in high clutter environments. A track labeling method combined with the PHD approach, as well as considering the finite resolution, is proposed here for multitarget tracking, i.e., we keep a separate tracker for each target, use the PHD in the resolution cell to get the estimated number and locations of the targets at each time step, and then perform the track labeling ("peak-to-track" association), whose results can provide information for PHD peak extraction at the next time step. Besides, by keeping a separate tracker for each target, our approach provides more information than the standard particle PHD filter. For example, in group target tracking, if we are interested in the motion of a specific target, we can track this target, which is not possible for the standard particle PHD filter, since the standard particle PHD filter does not keep track labels. Using our approach, multitarget tracking can be performed with automatic track initiation, maintenance, spawning, merging, and termination     

Threshold Control for Automatic Detection in Radar Systems

In automatic detection in radar systems an estimate of background clutter power is used to set the detection threshold. Usually detection cells surrounding the cell under test for the presence of a target are used to estimate the clutter power. In the research reported herein, the target location is taken to be uncertain and thus returns from a target could corrupt this clutter power estimate. It is shown how the threshold should be varied to compensate for the resulting degradation in detection performance. The threshold control procedure is based on a priori information about target location that could be supplied by the radar's tracking system. In addition, a simple procedure for calculating detection and false alarm probabilities for Swerling II target models is presented.     

A measurement-driven adaptive probability hypothesis density filter for multitarget tracking

This paper studies the dynamic estimation problem for multitarget tracking. A novel gating strategy that is based on the measurement likelihood of the target state space is proposed to improve the overall effectiveness of the probability hypothesis density(PHD) filter. Firstly, a measurement-driven mechanism based on this gating technique is designed to classify the measurements. In this mechanism, only the measurements for the existing targets are considered in the update step of the existing targets while the measurements of newborn targets are used for exploring newborn targets. Secondly, the gating strategy enables the development of a heuristic state estimation algorithm when sequential Monte Carlo(SMC) implementation of the PHD filter is investigated, where the measurements are used to drive the particle clustering within the space gate.The resulting PHD filter can achieve a more robust and accurate estimation of the existing targets by reducing the interference from clutter. Moreover, the target birth intensity can be adaptive to detect newborn targets, which is in accordance with the birth measurements. Simulation results demonstrate the computational efficiency and tracking performance of the proposed algorithm.     

Joint probabilistic data association for autonomous navigation

A new autonomous navigation scheme based on the joint probabilistic data association (JPDA) approach that processes landmark detections in the field of view (FOV) of an on-board sensor is developed. These detections-some true, some false-are associated to a set of stored landmarks and used to update the state of the vehicle. The results obtained from Monte Carlo simulations prove the ability of this navigation filter to perform in very high false alarm environments. In the different environmental conditions tested in the simulations, the performance of the JPDA navigation filter (JPDANF) is very close to that of the filter based on perfect data association. The very efficient cluster decomposition algorithm presented for the purpose of the navigation problem can also be used in many multitarget tracking applications