Target tracking in complex scenarios for airborne radar systems

Important results from the project

Target tracking is a major function in any sensor system measuring moving objects. The input consists of target observations. These observations originate from various kinds of sensor systems such as radar, transponder systems, TV, IR, sonar, and acoustic sensors. The result of the tracking algorithm is a surveillance picture describing the covered volume by multitude of objects and their character, such as movement and type of object. The surveillance picture is further used by the user of the system or automatic functions. In particular, the tracking algorithm plays an important role for data enhancement and compilation. This is due to the fact that sensor data never are perfect. The task is an intricate and elaborate process. The success of this process depends strongly on the used algorithms, and a good result gives more useful systems with more accurate performance. The ability of the Swedish airborne radar systems ERIEYE and PS-05/A is directly depending on the choice of tracking algorithm. Here, it is important for a continued development of the tracking algorithm to be able to live up to the expectations of the systems and to be competitive in the future.

Expected long term effects

For the suggested project, we propose a continued research in the area of target tracking for airborne radar systems, with the aim of improving the characteristics and competitive power of the systems. The results of the present project in the form of theory and algorithms are useful in other applications where target tracking is included. Examples of such applications are preventive safety systems in the automotive industry, and civil safety. By the investments of Volvo, Volvo PV, and NFFP4 (through Saab Microwave Systems), a powerful research group has been established at Chalmers University of Technology in the area. The transfer of technology between the involved parties is possible due to the research group at Chalmers. With a continued investment from NFFP5, the ability of the group can be maintained and enhanced.

Approach and implementation

The project is mainly of theoretical character and the output will be reports and and conference- and journal papers. Apart from those, the result of will be models for simulation and alogrithm prototypes, essentially realized in Matlab.