An algorithm for tracking a maneuvering target in clutter

The problem of tracking a maneuvering target in clutter is considered. In such an environment, missed detections an false alarms make it impossible to decide, with certainty, the origin of received echoes. Processing radar returns in cluttered environments consists of three functions: (1) target detection and plot formation, (2) plot-to-track association, and (3) track updating. Two inadequacies of the present approaches are (1) optimization of detection characteristics have not been considered and (2) features that can be used in the plot-to-track correlation process are restricted to a specific class. This paper presents a new approach to overcome these limitations. This approach facilitates tracking of a maneuvering target in clutter and improves tracking performance for weak targets.