Interference removal using multiple detection hypotheses

An approach for reducing the impact of strong interfering contacts when using an ambiguity surface for detection and tracking, as is the case in many sonar and radar applications, is presented. The problem of broadband detection from a multibeam line array is considered. The algorithm uses an ambiguity surface generated by integrating existing broadband detection outputs according to predefined hypotheses of potential contact bearing and bearing rate. The impact of interference is reduced by generating two surfaces, one corresponding to strong contacts and the other corresponding to weak contacts. Strong interference contacts are recognized on a scan-by-scan basis