A new method of multi-target tracking in wide-area for dealing with the threat of small celestial bodies in space

Abstract

The field of view of optical imaging systems is limited, making it difficult to meet the needs of continuous tracking of multiple targets in different orientations in a wide spatial domain, even in the 4 π spatial domain. Therefore, based on the two-dimensional tracking rotating platform, an unscented Kalman motion estimation algorithm based on target motion characteristics and an optimization algorithm for multi-objective switching tracking based on motion target matching, tracking convergence, and platform rotation ability have been proposed. The ultimate goal is to achieve continuous tracking of multiple spatial targets over a wide area. The development of a light and small space two-dimensional rotating platform tracking system is completed. The target detection coverage achieved is better than ± 180° in both pitch and azimuth directions. Continuous observation and tracking of better than 8 targets has been achieved through target motion estimation and switching tracking methods.