This chapter addresses the basic issues of tracking airborne targets (aircraft, missiles, and so on) with a radar operating in a track-while-scan mode. Although multitarget tracking radars are of primary interest, the issues associated with tracking a single target will be addressed first. These issues are addressed first because most multitarget track algorithms act as 'executives' that pass information to subordinate singletarget track algorithms. Finally, the multiple-target tracking problem and associated algorithms will be presented.

Chapter Contents:

• 7.1 Introduction
• 7.2 The Role of Tracking in AEW
• 7.3 Tracking and Filtering
• 7.3.1 Coordinate Systems
• 7.3.2 System Model
• 7.3.3 Discrete-Time Kalman Filter
• 7.3.4 Extended and Linearized Filters
• 7.4 Tracking Techniques for Single Targets
• 7.4.1 Introduction
• 7.4.2 Maneuvering Targets
• 7.4.3 Tracking Targets in Clutter
• 7.4.4 Tracking Maneuvering Targets in Clutter
• 7.4.5 Tracking with Angle-Only Measurements
• 7.5 Multiple-Target Tracking Techniques
• 7.5.1 Track Initiation
• 7.5.2 TWS Filtering Methods
• 7.5.3 Issues in Scanning Methods and Signal Processing
• 7.6 Track Processor Hardware Requirements
• 7.7 Summary and Open Research Areas

Inspec keywords: airborne radar; target tracking; radar tracking

Other keywords: track-while-scan mode; multitarget tracking radars; automatic target tracking; airborne targets; radar target tracking

Subjects: Radar equipment, systems and applications; Signal processing and detection