Track-before-detect strategies for acoustic-seismic sensors

摘要

Most designs for acoustic sensors perform some relatively simple level-based detection operation before applying more intensive resources to track the evolution of the target signature. This approach, followed in order to maintain false alarms at an acceptable level, results in the loss of information that could be derived while the signal is at levels below a set detection threshold and can result in missed or late opportunities for the all-important imaging sensors. The track-before-detect approach exploits the use of considering multiple data association alternatives forming potential tracks at low signal to noise ratios that get filtered on the basis of track dynamics to maintain an acceptable level of false alarms. This approach preserves the information derived in the early stages of track formation leading to a more complete exploitation of the available signal and result in earlier maturation of the track.