Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Target Tracking
Chapter 9
Single Target Tracking
Tracking radar systems are used to measure the targetÓs relative position in
range, azimuth angle, elevation angle, and velocity. Then, by using and keep-
ing track of these measured parameters the radar can predict their future val-
ues. Target tracking is important to military radars as well as to most civilian
radars. In military radars, tracking is responsible for fire control and missile
guidance; in fact, missile guidance is almost impossible without proper target
tracking. Commercial radar systems, such as civilian airport traffic control
radars, may utilize tracking as a means of controlling incoming and departing
airplanes.
Tracking techniques can be divided into range/velocity tracking and angle
tracking. It is also customary to distinguish between continuous single-target
tracking radars and multi-target track-while-scan (TWS) radars. Tracking
radars utilize pencil beam (very narrow) antenna patterns. It is for this reason
that a separate search radar is needed to facilitate target acquisition by the
tracker. Still, the tracking radar has to search the volume where the targetÓs
presence is suspected. For this purpose, tracking radars use special search pat-
terns, such as helical, T.V. raster, cluster, and spiral patterns, to name a few.
9.1. Angle Tracking
Angle tracking is concerned with generating continuous measurements of
the targetÓs angular position in the azimuth and elevation coordinates. The
accuracy of early generation angle tracking radars depended heavily on the
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