Advanced techniques for automatic surface search radar correlation and tracking

Abstract

Techniques for automatically tracking a wide class of slow targets, using both MTI and non-MTI surface search radars, are described. These algorithms, which include correlation, expert systems contact classification, and multiple hypothesis tracking, must operate under a variety of environmental conditions, and be capable of detecting targets with cross-sections as small as several square meters. In order to achieve acceptable response times and low false track disclosure rates, the algorithms have been designed to work adaptively. In performance tests, this new closed-loop system has reduced reaction time by up to 50%, compared to previous commercial and military surface tracking systems.