Gaussian mixture multitarget-multisensor Bernoulli tracker for multistatic sonobuoy fields

Abstract

Sonobuoy fields, consisting of a large network of emitter and receiver sonar sensors on buoys, are increasingly being used for detection and tracking of underwater targets in a defined maritime area. This study presents a Gaussian mixture version of a multitarget-multisensor (MS) Bayesian-type tracker developed specifically for multistatic sonobuoy fields. Its foundation is the optimal Bayesian MS filter for a single target in clutter. The multi target feature is incorporated using the linear-multitarget paradigm, which is a fast and accurate approximation assuming the density of underwater targets is low. Reliable track initiation and false track discrimination for low signal-to-noise ratio..