Helicopter-borne Radar Multi-target Tracking,

The objective of multiple target tracking is to disassemble measuring data received by a sensor into various measurement sets or tracks produced by corresponding different information resources. Once tracks is formed and confirmed, number of tracked targets, target motion parameters corresponding to each track, can be estimated.Multiple target tracking is increasingly applied in radar platform. But multiple-target tracking in motion platform, especially in helicopter airborne platform, is more difficult than other platforms. There are mainly three reasons. Firstly, there exist relative motions between airborne radar platform and the targets. Target tracking is related not only with the motion station of targets, but also with helicopter self motion state. Secondly, radar has to measure targets under a strong clutter circumstance due to mainly tracking ground target. The existence of a lot of the false alarm, clutter makes a very high demand on calculating amount and treating speed in data treatment. Thirdly, the co-existence of high, low speed targets and non-maneuvering, maneuvering targets, makes tracking problem more complex. Now algorithm study of multiple target tracking is nearly to perfection, as is concerning algorithm. But there is seldom tracking system design aiming at radar platform, especially at helicopter platform; and there is seldom published article on the topic. The reasons are mainly ascribed to two points, on one hand, helicopter airborne fire control radar is few, on the other hand, the severe oscillation circumstance of helicopter airborne platform challenge on the tracking system design. So, multiple-target tracking technique of helicopter airborne radar described in this thesis has practical value in engineering field. And the technique can be used in other civil and military field.This thesis proposes pre-processing techniques of orientation, pitching, distance and speed in airborne radar platform, and achieves coordinate systems suitable for airborne radar multiple target tracking algorithm, applies IMM filtering algorithm to radar system, meanwhile proceeds a detailed research on simulation source which demand on verifying multiple target tracking, and obtains echoes with characters of simulation target split and radar parameters, as make multiple-target tracking algorithm to be verified effectively.Computer Simulation and test of true helicopter airborne platform demonstrate that, multiple-target tracking algorithm of helicopter airborne radar adopted in this thesis is effective and practical for both tracking precision and real time capability. In a word, the algorithm meets the technical index demand of airborne radar system, and reaches the expected goal.