Cambridge Pixel Enhances Radar Tracking Software to Support Small Target Detection

Cambridge Pixel has enhanced its SPx radar tracking software with new modeling algorithms to support the detection and tracking of small targets.

Cambridge Pixel will be showcasing its radar tracking software at Euronaval in Paris from 17-21 October 2016, the company announced today.

The new Model-based Tracking extensions allow the operator to create multiple models that match the signature of likely small and weak targets such as a swimmer or crawler, rigid inflatable boat (RIB), jet ski, helicopter, small UAV or a motorbike.

The tracker can also be configured to look for specific scenarios, such as targets moving towards a sensitive location or on a specific heading. Importantly, the tracking software allows multiple types of target to be acquired from the same data set.

"Radar sensors are offering more capabilities to detect targets of interest, but targets of interest are getting smaller and more agile, so advances in software processing are a key part of the overall detection solution.” Richard Warren, Cambridge Pixel's director of software said.

"With our enhanced target tracking software combining a multi-hypothesis approach with this multi-model capability, small and weak targets can now be detected and tracked even in cluttered environments.” Warren added.

The software is flexible to work with a wide range of commercial and military radars to provide security and to combat an increase in terrorism, smuggling, piracy and insurgency, he said. Cambridge Pixel's SPx radar tracking software is already widely deployed in command and control, maritime navigation, security, airports and vessel traffic applications.

The software receives radar video as either radar signals through an acquisition card, as ASTERIX CAT-240 network data or in one of a number of radar-specific proprietary formats. Radar video is processed to attenuate noise and clutter and then target-like detections are extracted as plots. The plots are then correlated to identify candidate targets for fully automatic acquisition.

Cambridge Pixel's SPx radar tracker is a software-based Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) primary radar data extractor and target tracker that provides target track identification, heading and speed. It is fully parameterized, highly configurable and supports multi-hypothesis tracking to improve tracking efficiency and reduce nuisance alarms.