Title :
Multi-target tracking in the littoral environment
Author :
Bechhoefer, Eric R. ; Farrell, James L.
Author_Institution :
BFGoodrich Aerosp., Vergennes, VT, USA
Abstract :
Existing state estimation algorithms for sea surface targets allow motion in three spatial directions. The approach described herein exploits directly all available information, with surface ships constrained to the geoid - producing a model as close to reality as any representation humanly achievable. Not only is Earth curvature taken into account from the outset, but Earth oblateness and the geoid/ellipsoid height separation (taken into account by lookup table) are sewed into the estimator algorithm, in the same form used for GPS data. These effects are included everywhere applicable, not just as an external correction or an afterthought. To enhance computational reliability still further, an appropriately stable (e.g., factorized) algorithmic approach is unhesitatingly adopted. Factorization provides another side benefit of efficiency which, when added to the savings inherent with fewer states, produces an almost irresistible incentive to pursue this opportunity to reap full benefit from tracker input data received
Keywords :
radar tracking; ships; state estimation; table lookup; target tracking; Earth curvature; Earth oblateness; GPS data; computational reliability; ellipsoid height separation; factorized algorithmic approach; geoid; littoral environment; lookup table; multi-target tracking; sea surface targets; state estimation; surface ships; Computer vision; Earth; Global Positioning System; Marine vehicles; Radar tracking; Sea surface; State estimation; Table lookup; Target tracking; Vectors;
Conference_Titel :
Radar Conference, 2000. The Record of the IEEE 2000 International
Conference_Location :
Alexandria, VA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-5776-0
DOI :
10.1109/RADAR.2000.851850