MULTIPLE HYPOTHESIS TRACK CONFIRMATION FOR INFRARED SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS

An overall methodology is described for the application of a multiple hypothesis tracking (MHT) algorithm to the infrared (IR) surveillance system problem of establishing tracks on dim targets in a heavy clutte r or false alarm background. First, it discusses the manner in which t he detection and tracking systems are jointly designed to optimize per formance. Next, it presents approximate methods that can conveniently be used for preliminary system design and performance prediction. Fina lly, it discusses the use of a detailed Monte Carlo simulation for fin al system evaluation and presents results illustrating the proposed me thods and comparing predicted and simulation performance.