Standalone Multiscan Pre-Filter System for Radar Data Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Topic No.: N05-016 Topic Title: Standalone Multiscan Pre-Filter System for Radar Data Proposal No.: N051-016-0607 Firm: Numerica Corporation PO Box 271246 Ft. Collins, Colorado 80527-1246 Contact: Benjamin Slocumb Phone: (970) 419-8343 Web Site: www.numerica.us Abstract: A key algorithm component in surveillance radar tracking systems (e.g., the E-2C) is the multiscan pre-filter that passes measurements to the tracker that are potentially from targets, while removing those originating from clutter. Since this algorithm determines feasible associations, it must not rule out those from targets; otherwise track breaks and swaps will result. At the same time, the algorithm must remove as much clutter as possible to prevent tracking system overload. To address Navy needs, Numerica proposes to develop a standalone suite of gating techniques (i.e., multiscan pre-filter algorithms) based on the successful routines that Numerica developed for the AWACS platform and other sensors over the last 15 years. This standalone suite will incorporate a series of gates that start with coarse, cheap tests and resolve to finer, more expensive tests. Through this sequential process, the goals of efficiency and appropriate tests for maneuvering targets can be provided. A novel advancement in this proposed program is modification of gating methods to incorporate range-rate and non-kinematic feature information. In addition, the suite of gating algorithms will be integrated into a standalone data structure software system; only through such an integration can the necessary efficiency of the system be realized. Benefits: A fundamental need in the E-2C APS-145 radar and other Navy surveillance radars is a data pre-filter provides a high-degree of clutter rejection, but is robust to maneuvering and non-maneuvering targets. The thrust of this proposed effort is to develop a standalone suite of gating techniques (i.e., multiscan pre-filter algorithms) based on the successful routines that Numerica developed for the AWACS platform and other sensors over the last 15 years. This standalone suite will incorporate a series of gates that start with coarse, cheap tests and resolve to finer, more expensive tests. The algorithms will be integrated efficiently within a multiple scan framework. The expected outcome of the Phase I program is a Matlab prototype multiscan radar pre-filter algorithm designed to process E-2C APS-145 radar data. Testing of the algorithm in a high-fidelity simulation environment such as the IAMD Benchmark is planned to show the performance payoff to the radar tracker. A Phase II effort is envisioned that will fully demonstrate/validate the prototype, refine and mature the gating and pre-filter algorithm, transition the algorithm and data structures to a compiled language (e.g., C++ or Java), and transition the development to a Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) Real-time Operating System (RTOS). Phase II will further validate the algorithm on sponsor-provided recorded data or data from another high fidelity simulation of an E-2C APS-145 radar. Return