Standalone Multiscan Pre-Filter System for Radar Data

A key algorithm component in surveillance radar tracking systems (e.g., the E-2C) is the multiscan pre-filter that passes measurements to the tracker that are potentially from targets, while removing those originating from clutter. Since this algorithm determines feasible associations, it must not rule out those from targets; otherwise track breaks and swaps will result. At the same time, the algorithm must remove as much clutter as possible to prevent tracking system overload. To address Navy needs, Numerica proposes to develop a standalone suite of gating techniques (i.e., multiscan pre-filter algorithms) based on the successful routines that Numerica developed for the AWACS platform and other sensors over the last 15 years. This standalone suite will incorporate a series of gates that start with coarse, cheap tests and resolve to finer, more expensive tests. Through this sequential process, the goals of efficiency and appropriate tests for maneuvering targets can be provided. A novel advancement in this proposed program is modification of gating methods to incorporate range-rate and non-kinematic feature information. In addition, the suite of gating algorithms will be integrated into a standalone data structure software system; only through such an integration can the necessary efficiency of the system be realized.