Multi-aspect radar target recognition method based on scattering centers and HMMs classifiers

A hidden Markov model (HMM)-based method for recognizing aerial targets according to the sequential high-range-resolution (HRR) radar signature is presented. Its recognition features are the location information of scattering centers extracted from the HRR radar echoes by the relax algorithm. The HMM is used to characterize the spatio-temporal information of a target. Several HMMs are cascaded in a chain to model the variation in the target orientation and used as classifiers. Computer simulations with the inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) data are given to demonstrate that for an open-set recognition, average class-recognition rates of 84.50% and 89.88% are achieved, respectively, under two given conditions.     

Wavelet preprocessing for high range resolution radarclassification

We develop a wavelet denoising scheme to aid an automatic target recognition (ATR) system in recognizing aircraft from high range resolution radar (HRR) signatures. A template matching classification technique is used with templates formed from synthetically generated signatures. The goal of the classification system is to achieve classification accuracy equivalent to that obtained with measured HRR signatures. Results suggest that a large portion of HRR signature content is nondiscriminatory. The wavelet denoising process removes the nondiscriminatory information, thereby leading to remarkable increases in classification accuracy. Results are shown for HRR signatures from six aircraft     

Time-varying autoregressive modeling of HRR radar signatures

A time-varying autoregressive (TVAR) model is used for the modeling and classification of high range resolution (HRR) radar signatures. In this approach, the TVAR coefficients are expanded by a low-order discrete Fourier transform (DFT). A least-squares (LS) estimator of the TVAR model parameters is presented, and the maximum likelihood (ML) approach for determining the model order is also presented. The validity of the TVAR modeling approach is demonstrated by comparing with other approaches in estimating time-varying spectra of synthetic signals. The estimated TVAR model parameters are also used as features in classifying HRR radar signatures with a neural network. In the experiment with two sets of noncooperating target identification (NCTI) data, about 93% of samples are correctly classified     

High Range Resolution Profiles as Motion-Invariant Features for Moving Ground Targets Identification in SAR-Based Automatic Target Recognition

A quantitative model analysis is presented to justify the extraction of high range resolution (HRR) profiles from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images as motion-invariant features for identifying moving ground targets. A comparative study is conducted to assess the effectiveness in the identification process between using HRR profiles and SAR images as target signatures. The results indicate that HRR profiles are just as viable as SAR image for identification. Furthermore, a score-level multi-look fusion identification method has been investigated. It is found that a correct accurate identification rate of greater than 99 percent, a low false alarm rate, and a high level of identification confidence can be achieved, providing very robust performance.     

Multiple moving target feature extraction for airborne HRR radar

This study considers the clutter suppression and feature extraction of multiple moving targets for airborne high range resolution (HRR) phased array radar. To avoid the range migration problems that occur in the HRR radar data, we divide each HRR profile into nonoverlapping low range resolution segments. No information is lost due to the division and hence no loss of resolution occurs. We show how to use a vector auto-regressive filtering technique to suppress the clutter. Then a relaxation-based parameter estimation algorithm is presented for multiple moving target feature extraction. Numerical results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm     

Fractal interpolation of radar signatures for detecting stationarytargets in ground clutter

The fundamentals of fractal geometry are reviewed, and its application to the millimeter-wave radar detection of stationary targets in a clutter background is described. First, high-range-resolution (HRR) profiles are used to determine the fractal interpolation functions needed to create fractal signatures. The fractal dimension is then determined for these signatures. On the basis of the value of the fractal dimension, the signature is declared to represent either a target of interest or clutter. The results of a CFAR (constant false alarm rate) simulation are presented to illustrate the performance of the method. They indicate that the fractal dimension feature used seems to be independent of amplitude. Thus, the fractal dimension information combined with traditional amplitude processing techniques will improve probabilities of detection     

基于RELAX的空中多机动目标检测与参数估计

 针对机载雷达空中多机动目标的检测问题,提出了一种基于RELAX算法的空中多机动目标检测与参数估计方法。该方法将重构时间采样技术与RELAX算法相结合,有效地抑制了检测过程中强信号分量对弱信号分量的影响,在待测单元内存在多个目标时,能够获得很好的参数估计结果,并且在脉冲点数有限的情况下,该方法得到的参数估计精度依然很高。同时,本文还推导了空中多机动目标参数估值的克拉美罗界(CRB),为估计结果提供了理论下限。仿真结果证明了该方法的有效性。     

存在阵列模型误差情况下的宽带DOA估计

 针对工程应用中存在阵列模型误差的任意形状天线阵列的宽带波达方向（DOA）估计问题,提出一种基于信号分离的相关域宽带松弛（RELAX）算法。此算法利用具有记忆与遗忘特征的矩阵算子的投影机理对入射信号进行有效的分离,因此对一定范围内的阵列模型误差较之基于子空间理论的传统宽带测向算法具有较好的鲁棒性与良好的工程应用前景。分析并证明了此算法的信号分离机理及此算法对阵列模型误差稳健的原理。理论分析与仿真结果均表明存在阵列模型误差时此算法宽带DOA估计的有效性和稳健性。     

Superresolution HRR ATR with high definition vector imaging

A new 1-D template-based automatic target recognition (ATR) algorithm is developed and tested on high range resolution (HRR) profiles formed from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of targets taken from the Moving and Stationary Target Acquisition and Recognition (MSTAR) data set. In this work, a superresolution technique known as High Definition Vector Imaging (HDVI) is applied to the HRR profiles before the profiles are passed through ATR classification. The new I-D ATR system using HDVI demonstrates significantly improved target recognition compared with previous I-D ATR systems that use conventional image processing techniques. This improvement in target recognition is quantified by improvement in probability of correct classification (PCC). More importantly, the application of HDVI to HRR profiles helps to maintain the same ATR performance with reduced radar resource requirements     

Detection of hidden Markov model transient signals

Addressed here is the quickest detection of transient signals which can be represented as hidden Markov models (HMMs), with the application of detection of transient signals. Relying on the fact that Page's test is equivalent to a repeated sequential probability ratio test (SPRT), we are able to devise a procedure analogous to Page's test for dependent observations. By using the so-called forward variable of an HMM, such a procedure is applied to the detection of a change in hidden Markov modeled observations, i.e., a switch from one HMM to another. Performance indices of Page's test, the average run length (ARL) under both hypotheses, are approximated and confirmed via simulation. Several important examples are investigated in depth to illustrate the advantages of the proposed scheme.     

基于子空间投影的未知背景航拍高光谱图像恒虚警目标检测

针对航拍高光谱图像中未知背景地物特征条件下小目标的检测问题,给出一种检测算法。利用目标的低概率特性,通过模糊聚类获取高光谱图像中背景的光谱特性;然后将高光谱数据向背景光谱信号的正交子空间及目标信号子空间投影以抑制背景和噪声信号;最后在特征层利用广义似然比检验构造出具有恒虚警特性的检测器,完成融合检测过程。理论分析和实验结果表明了算法的有效性。     

Super resolution feature extraction of moving targets

High range resolution (HRR) moving target indicator (MTI) is becoming increasingly important for many military and civilian applications such as the detection and classification of moving targets in strong clutter background. We consider the problem of extracting the HRR features of moving targets with very closely spaced scatterers in the presence of strong stationary clutter, where the range migration and Doppler frequency are taken into account. A relaxation-based algorithm, which is robust and computationally simple, is proposed to deal with the above problem. Numerical results have shown that the proposed algorithm exhibits super resolution and excellent estimation performance     

Moving target detection via airborne HRR phased array radar

We study moving target detection in the presence of temporally and spatially correlated ground clutter for airborne high range resolution (HRR) phased array radar. We divide the HRR range profiles into large range segments to avoid the range migration problems that occur in the HRR radar data. Since each range segment contains a sequence of HRR range bins, no information is lost due to the division and hence no loss of resolution occurs. We show how to use a vector autoregressive (VAR) filtering technique to suppress the ground clutter. Then a moving target detector based on a generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) detection strategy is derived. The detection threshold is determined according to the desired false alarm rate, which is made possible via an asymptotic statistical analysis. After the target Doppler frequency and spatial signature vectors are estimated from the VAR-filtered data as if a target were present, a simple detection variable is computed and compared with the detection threshold to render a decision on the presence of a target. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate the performance of the proposed moving target detection algorithm     

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     

Spatio-temporal pattern recognition using hidden Markov models

A spatio-temporal method for identifying objects contained in an image sequence is presented. The Hidden Markov Model (HMM) technique is used as the classification algorithm, making classification decisions based on a spatio-temporal sequence of observed object features. A five class problem is considered. Classification accuracies of 100% and 99.7%, are obtained for sequences of images generated over two separate regions of viewing positions. HMMs trained on image sequences of the objects moving in opposite directions showed a 98.1% successful classification rate by class and direction of movement. The HMM technique proved robust to image corruption with additive correlated noise and had a higher accuracy than a single-look nearest neighbor method. A real image sequence of one of the objects used was successfully recognized with the HMMs trained on synthetic data. This study shows the temporal changes that observed feature vectors undergo due to object motion hold information that can yield superior classification accuracy when compared with single-frame techniques     

Sequential Piecewise Recursive Filter for GPS Low-Dynamics Navigation

The design, implementation, and performance of a real-time estimation algorithm, referred to in this paper as the sequential piecewise recursive (SPWR) algorithm, for the global-positioning system (GPS) low-dynamics navigation system is described. The SPWR algorithm for this application was implemented in single precision arithmetic (32 bit, floating point). Numerical results are presented covariance and filter gains at a slower rate than the state measurement update, and it uses U-D factor formulation to perform covariance computations. The SPWR algorithm saves real-time processing requirements without appreciable degradation of filter performance. Another important feature of the SPWR algorithm is that it incorporates pseudorange and delta-range data from each GPS satellite sequentially for navigation solution. The SPWR algorithm, for this application, was implemented in single precision arithmetic (32 bit, floating point). Numerical results are presented.     

基于改进HMM和LS-SVM的机载设备故障预测研究

针对传统故障预测方法不能直接预测设备状态的不足,提出了将改进隐马尔科夫模型（HMM）和最小二乘支持向量机（LS—SVM）相结合的机载设备故障预测方法。首先,采用多智能体遗传算法对HMM参数进行训练优化,克服了B-W算法易陷入局部最优解的缺陷;其次,分别研究设计了设备是否具有使用阶段状态退化过程数据2种情况下的故障预测算法流程;最后,以飞机发动机温控放大器为应用对象进行仿真计算。结果表明,该算法不仅预测精度高,而且预测结果直接与设备状态相关,易于理解分析。     

Layover solution in multibaseline SAR interferometry

In this work, spectral estimation techniques are used to exploit baseline diversity of a multichannel interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system and overcome the layover problem. This problem arises when different height contributions collapse in the same range-azimuth resolution cell, due to the presence of strong terrain slopes or discontinuities in the sensed scene. We propose a multilook approach to counteract the presence of multiplicative noise, which is due to the extended nature of natural targets; to this purpose we extend the RELAX algorithm to the multilook data scenario (M-RELAX). A thorough performance analysis of nonparametric (beamforming and Capon) and parametric (root MUSIC and M-RELAX) techniques is carried out based on Monte Carlo simulations and Cramer-Rao lower bounds (CRLB) calculation. The results suggest the superiority of parametric methods over nonparametric ones.     

Multiaspect classification of airborne targets via physics-basedHMMs and matching pursuits

Wideband electromagnetic fields scattered from N distinct target-sensor orientations are employed for classification of airborne targets. Each of the scattered waveforms is parsed via physics-based matching pursuits, yielding N feature vectors. The feature vectors are submitted to a hidden Markov model (HMM), each state of which is characterized by a set of target-sensor orientations over which the associated feature vectors are relatively stationary. The N feature vectors extracted from the multiaspect scattering data implicitly sample N states of the target (some states may be sampled more than once), with the state sequence modeled statistically as a Markov process, resulting in an HMM due to the “hidden” or unknown target orientation. In the work presented here, the state-dependent probability of observing a given feature vector is modeled via physics-motivated linear distributions, in lieu of the traditional Gaussian mixtures applied in classical HMMs. Further, we develop a scheme that yields autonomous definitions for the aspect-dependent HMM states. The paradigm is applied to synthetic scattering data for two simple targets     

Automatic target recognition of time critical moving targets using1D high range resolution (HRR) radar

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging and Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) of moving targets pose a significant challenge due to the inherent difficulty of focusing moving targets. As a result, ATR of moving targets has recently received increased interest. High Range Resolution (HRR) radar mode offers an approach for recognizing moving targets by forming focused HRR profiles with significantly enhanced target-to-(clutter+noise) (T/(C+N)) via Doppler filtering and/or clutter cancellation. A goal of HRR ATR transition is the implementation and evaluation of algorithms exhibiting robustness under extended operating conditions (EOC). The public domain Moving and Stationary Target Acquisition and Recognition (MSTAR) data set was used to study 1D template-based ATR development and performance. Due to the unavailability of a statistically significant moving ground target data set, this approach was taken as an interim step in assessing the separability of ground targets when using range only discriminants. This report summarizes the data and algorithm methodology, simulated performance results, and recommendations