Integration of passive ranging with Multiple Hypothesis Tracking (MHT) for application with angle-only measurements

摘要

This paper discusses the integration of a passive ranging method that uses multiple initial assumed range models within a Multiple Hypothesis Tracking (MHT) data association framework. The paper begins with a description of the use of multiple assumed range models along with a two model Interacting Multiple Model (IMM) approach for tracking maneuvering targets. It also discusses the choice of own ship maneuver required to provide observability for an air-to-air encounter and how the own ship maneuver can be chosen to reduce the effects of target maneuver. Unscented filtering methods designed for use with the nonlinear angle-only measurements will be described. Computational feasibility is a major issue with any MHT application and can be particularly important for the typical high false alarm environment envisioned for EO systems, such as the IRST. Thus, the use of multiple range filters is only employed for selected tracks based upon the track score. This and other logic designed to ensure computational feasibility are discussed and simulation results are presented.