A track-before-detect algorithm based on dynamic programming for maneuvering target detection

Due to traditional dynamic programming approach is only suitable for constant velocity motion target or slow maneuvering target，an algorithm using interacting multiple model(IMM) filter incorporated with track-before-detect approach is proposed for maneuvering target detection and tracking. The algorithm is applied to short-range millimeter rader detection. According to the actual movement characteristics of target, constant acceleration motion model, constant turn motion model and constant velocity motion model are established. The transition and prediction between the motion models are also taken into account based on dynamic programming algorithm, so as to avoid the problem of poor tracking effect caused by model mismatch. Simulation results show that compared with the traditional detection algorithm, the proposed algorithm can detect and track maneuvering targets more effectively, which is beneficial to engineering applications.