Tracking Densely Spaced Ground Targets with Data Fused from Moving Target Indication Radar

Integration of ORINCON's Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) tracking algorithms into a parallel processing software data fusion architecture is proposed. The GMTI tracking algorithms incorporate Variable Structure Interacting Multiple Models (VS-IMM)that enable precision tracking of highly maneuverable ground targets. An innovative data fusion architecture incorporates parallel processing that replicates common tracking and fusion processes to run across a scalable number of array processors within aCOTS VME-based architecture. Integrating the ground-based tracking algorithms into the parallel fusion architecture enables a hardware-scalable solution to the centralized GMTI data fusion and tracking problem. By adding processor cards, throughput canbe scaled up to meet increasing requirements for additional targets and sensors with no software modifications required. A dedicated fusion management process automatically distributes the processing load evenly across the configured processing nodes.Data association is carried out under a strict multiple-hypothesis framework. The resource management of the array processor nodes is dynamic within the limitations of the number of physical processor nodes configured within the VME chassis.Centralizedprocessing locations such as JSTARS ground stations can benefit from this capability. Users require a system that can fuse data from multiple sensor platforms and process 5,000 to 10,000 targets in real time. The parallel processing-based GMTI trackingsystem will enable this type of performance and beyond.