Track monitoring when tracking with multiple 2D passive sensors

A fast method of track monitoring is presented which determines what tracks are good and what tracks have had data association problems and should be eliminated. The philosophy of tracking in a dense target environment with limited central processing unit (CPU) time is to acquire the targets, track them with as simple a filter as will meet requirements, and monitor the tracks to determine if they are still tracking a target or are tracking incorrect returns and should be terminated. After termination the true targets are reacquired. However, it is difficult to determine from simple track monitoring the correct interpretation of a poor track. Poor tracks can be a result of a sensor failure, target maneuver, or incorrect data association. The author describes track monitoring and provides a solution to this dilemma when tracking with multiple two-dimensional passive sensors. The method is much faster than other monitoring methods.