Target maneuver detection using image features

There are a number of algorithms currently available for tracking highly maneuverable targets using position measurements. A comparison of some of these algorithms using benchmark trajectories is given in a session of the 1994 American Control Conference. Dramatic increases in tracking performance (lower loss of lock rates, larger interdwell intervals, and more accurate state estimates) will likely result from novel uses of additional non-traditional sensor information. In particular, an imaging sensor provides information which can be used to increase tracking performance. In this paper, we use an imaging sensor to detect target maneuvers, which is based on monitoring changes in image features. By accurately and quickly detecting the onset and termination of maneuvers, we are able to reconfigure the tracking filter in order to increase performance. Simulations are provided to show how augmenting a traditional radar only system with an imaging sensor to detect maneuvers can improve tracking performance.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.