Target tracking in multi-static active sonar systems using dynamic programming and Hough transform

Tracking multiple targets in a high cluttered environment where multiple receivers are used is a challenging task due to the high level of false alarms and uncertainty in the track hypothesis. The multi-static active sonar scenario is an example for such systems where multiple source-receiver combinations are deployed. Due to the nature of the underwater environment and sound propagation characteristics, tracking targets in the underwater environment becomes a complex operation.;The methodology presented in this thesis provides a rapid and reliable tracking system capable of tracking multiple targets without depending on a kinematic model of the target movement. In this algorithm, Self Organizing Maps, Dynamic Programming and the Hough transform are combined to produce tracks of possible targets' paths and estimate of targets' locations. Evaluation of the performance of the tracking algorithm is performed using three types of simulations and a set of real data obtained from a sea trial. This research documents the results of experimental testing and analysis of the tracking system.;Conventional tracking approaches (such as the Kalman and particle filter) require a predetermined kinematic model of the target. Moreover, tracking an unknown and changing number of targets within a certain search area requires complex mathematical association filters to identify the number of targets and associate measurements to different target tracks. As the number of false detections increases, the computational complexity of conventional tracking system grows introducing further challenges for real-time target tracking situations.