Discrete Analog Processing for Tracking and Guidance Control

The search for and development of algorithms for a real-time, automatic system capable of tracking 2-D targets in complex scenes is discussed. The problems and constraints involved in such an undertaking as well as previous efforts are summarized. No algorithms could be found in the literature that will provide satisfactory results for realistic conditions. A mathematical model of scene spatial and temporal evolution is developed for certain classes of targets and target perturbations. It is shown that for small target perturbations the 2-D tracking problem may be approximated as a 1-D time-varying parameter estimation problem. A novel and CCD-implementable solution is developed which is superior to previously developed algorithms, particularly when considering target rotation and dilation and target/background separation. Results of system simulation and suggestions for future research are presented. (Author)