A modified M/N logic for track initiation of low observable targets using amplitude information

This paper deals with the optimization of the track initiation procedure for fast moving low observable targets. The standard approach consisting in applying a first detection threshold to each scan followed by an M/N logic, requires very low threshold values to guarantee an acceptable detection probability, which results in turn in a high probability to initiate false tracks. We derive a new technique to initiate tracks of low observable targets by exploiting the full amplitude information as well as the monopulse ratio information and evaluate its performance. The new technique outperforms the M/N decision logic, while keeping comparable a simplicity and low computational cost.