Initialization of ballistic targets tracking filters with detection probability lower than unity

Abstract

Radar tracking of a projectile flying in the Earth's atmosphere is a very complex issue to cope with, due to the need of (suboptimal) nonlinear filtering techniques. Almost all cases found in literature assume that the target trajectory is observable from the firing point to the impact point on the ground, namely the trajectory observation gets under way from the first available measurement. The radar track initiation time is actually a stochastic quantity that has to be treated by means of a statistical procedure. In this paper a preliminary analysis of the effect of a more realistic filter initialization is proposed. ©2010 IEEE

Parametric analysis of ballistic target‐tracking problem by multiple model approach

“…After this point the most probable mode‐conditioned estimation is assumed as the true one and propagated, by means of a fourth‐order Runge–Kutta algorithm, till the touch‐down point. The selection of this partial measurement interval, also adopted in [11–13], simulates the realistic need of a minimum time for a suitable counteraction. A high sampling frequency, f s = 10 Hz, consistent with a not revolving radar, has been set.…”

“…The avail of identify a specific target within a set of several possible candidates suggests the use of an MMF [8, 11–13]. This approach is based on the idea that no single generic filter is able to correctly identify and track an unspecified target belonging to a large class of very different objects.…”

“…In this context, the tracking of projectiles offers an interesting application example as these objects can be fired by different mortars and have different shape, mass, inertia as well as kinematics conditions of exit from the rifle [10]. The identification of a projectile among a set of possible candidates and the prediction of its impact point by multiple model filter (MMF) has been performed in [11–13]. However, we think that the analysis proposed in [11] is a partial investigation.…”

Estimação e Extrapolação de Parâmetros de Projéteis Balísticos a partir de Medidas Radar

“…Simultaneamente, isso permite modificar a operação de suas próprias unidades de artilharia, além de detectar as posições de disparo do inimigo [2]. Nos sistemas radares de contrabateria (SRCB) atuais, o desempenho dos sistemas de radares e computadores permitem estimar as trajetórias de projéteis e seus pontos de disparo, detectando com certa precisão a localização dessas armas [3].…”