Detection and localization of weak targets by space-time integration

A novel method of target motion analysis (TMA) is presented. In contrast to conventional TMA techniques, which use sequences of bearing and/or frequency estimates as their inputs, the method works directly with beam spectra to estimate the target track. Problems that arise in deriving bearing and frequency estimates from the beam spectra are consequently eliminated; the algorithm can handle fading or weak signals that give rise to large outliers or cause automatic signal followers to fail. Besides providing robust estimates of the target track, this algorithm, because of its long-term integration of the beam spectra, also has enhanced detection characteristics. The performance of the algorithm is illustrated with simulated data for a towed line array