Tracking of Maneuvering Extended Target Using Modified Variable Structure Multiple-Model Based on Adaptive Grid Best Model Augmentation

Abstract

Maneuvering extended target tracking, an important but challenging research field, has attracted increasing attention in the field of radar signal processing. Variable structure multiple-model (VSMM) estimation is the current mainstream tracking algorithm, it possesses high tracking performance but depends largely on the model set used. However, the existing model set design methods still cannot offer higher tracking performance due to the complex maneuverability of the target. The current best model augmentation (BMA) algorithm is an efficient and universal model set design method, but it cannot adapt well to complex maneuvering situations because of its fixed basic and candidate model set. Hence, this paper proposes a modified BMA algorithm for VSMM based on adaptive grid, it can make full use of the previous information to realize an adaptation and time variation of the model set. Overall, two different scenarios were considered, wherein the digital simulation shows that the proposed method can provide a more reliable estimation of the kinematic state and shape of the extended target.