Method for tracking a maneuvering target with a slow scan rate sensor
First Claim
1. A method for correlating data from a slow scan sensor with a target for maintaining tracking of the target during target maneuvering, comprising:
- providing a maneuver gate to monitor a predetermined volume disposed about a velocity vector of the target, the velocity vector available from a historical track of the target, wherein the volume is bounded by inner and outer intersecting ellipsoids;
examining the data for a potential detection when target correlation has been disturbed; and
correlating the target with the detection when the detection lies within the volume.
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Accused Products
Abstract
When the scan interval or time between successive potential detections is long with respect to a potential target'"'"'s maneuvering capability (say on the order of ten seconds for a radar system), there is the possibility that the target may be able to deviate far enough away from its last detected position at scan i-1 that correlation of the target with a detection in scan i may not be possible using conventional tracking methods. The present invention uses a maneuvering gate to monitor a volume in space. The volume is bounded by intersecting ellipsoids and is disposed, preferably uniformly about the target'"'"'s last estimate velocity vector. The surfaces of the ellipsoids which bound the volume may be determined by determining the loci of a combination of a straight and turning maneuver at a predetermined acceleration, which acceleration may be selected to be the maximum acceleration expected to be achievable by a predetermined target. When target correlation is disturbed or lost, the volume is examined. A detection in the volume is correlated to the target.
18 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for correlating data from a slow scan sensor with a target for maintaining tracking of the target during target maneuvering, comprising:
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providing a maneuver gate to monitor a predetermined volume disposed about a velocity vector of the target, the velocity vector available from a historical track of the target, wherein the volume is bounded by inner and outer intersecting ellipsoids; examining the data for a potential detection when target correlation has been disturbed; and correlating the target with the detection when the detection lies within the volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification