False alarm control in automated radar surveillance systems

Recently automatic detection and tracking systems have been developed to avoid the limitations of radar surveillance systems based on manual detection and tracking. However, in the operation of such systems, there arise problems which are related to false alarms due to clutter or jamming. An automated detection and tracking (ADT) false alarm management strategy is considered. Hardware false alarm control involves the installation of a digital signal processor, termed a radar video converter, in the radar. Aspects of software false alarm control are also discussed, taking into account the real-time characterization of environment, contact acceptance screening, clutter point tracking, and aspects of Bayesian track promotion. A description of a false alarm control example is provided.