Maneuvering Target Tracking Behzad Moshiri Farhad Besharati Control and Intelligent processing Center of Excellence, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395/515, Tehran, IRAN Abstract This paper proposes three exponentially correlated acceleration approaches for accuracy and computational complexity. These models are Singer model, Bar-Shalom and Fortmann’s model. Simulation results show that the Singer models and the Bar-Shalom and Fortmann models, each a six state estimate model, require approximately the same number of flops. The Bar-Shalom and Fortmann model requires more flops due to the size of the Q and G matrices. The Sklansky model is a four state estimator and requires about 2/3 of the number of flops of the Singer model. 1 introduction Tracking a maneuvering target involves filtering and prediction in order to track the target. Filtering refers to estimating the state vector at the current time, based upon all past measurements. Prediction refers to estimating the state at a future time; we shall see that prediction and filtering are closely related [1]. One of the most commonly used technique for target tracking is the discrete Kalman filter developed by Rudolf Kalman. The Kalman filter is used to filter past measurements and predict where a target will be in the future. This target location prediction is then used to point a sensor in order to track the target. An error covariance matrix is maintained as part of the normal computation process of the Kalman filter. This error covariance matrix can be considered as a measure of uncertainty of the kinematic state of the target. The tracking of maneuvering targets may be complicated by the fact that acceleration may not be directly observable or measurable. Additionally, apparent acceleration can be induced by a variety of sources including human input, autonomous guidance, or atmospheric disturbances. Several approaches to tracking maneuvering targets have been proposed in the literature and can be divided into two categories. One approach is to model the maneuver as a random process. The other approach assumes that the maneuver is not random and that it is either detected or estimated in real time. Both assume a rectilinear model of target track. The random process models generally assume one of two statistical properties, either white noise or an autocorrelated noise. The multiple-model approach is generally used with the white noise model while a zero-mean, exponentially correlated acceleration approach is used with the autocorrelated noise model. The nonrandom approach uses maneuver detection to correct the state estimate or a variable dimension filter to augment the state estimate with an extra state component during a detected maneuver [2]. The exponentially correlated acceleration model approach is one of the approaches most widely used to track maneuvering targets. This paper examines and compares three exponentially correlated acceleration approaches for accuracy and computational complexity. They include the Singer model in polar coordinates, the Sklansky model (not an exponentially correlated acceleration), and Bar-Shalom and Fortmann’s model. 2Singer Model Using Polar Coordinates Singer [8], [7], developed a model that incorporates the maneuver capability of a target that is both simple and suitably represents the maneuver characteristics. The Singer model for manned maneuvering targets assumes that a target usually moves at constant velocity and that turns, evasive maneuvers, and accelerations due to atmospheric disturbances can be viewed as perturbations of the constant velocity trajectory. These accelerations are termed target maneuvers and are correlated in time with the previous time or the next time increment. That is to say that if a target is maneuvering at time t, it is likely to be maneuvering at time t+ τ assuming that τ is sufficiently small. Singer [8] states that a lazy turn will give correlated inputs for up to one minute, evasive maneuvers due to radar detection, terrain features, or preprogrammed maneuvers will provide correlated inputs for 10 to 30 seconds, and atmospheric turbulence for only 1 to 2 seconds. Due to this time dependence, the maneuvers are neither additive nor Gaussian. Singer’s probability density function for a target’s maneuvers are shown in Figure 1. A target can [8]: