Applications of a phased array antenna in a multiple maneuvering target environment

The phased array antenna has the ability to perform adaptive sampling by directing the radar beam without inertia in any direction. This property has the potential for significant performance improvements in many aspects of the multiple maneuvering target tracking problem. This paper begins by outlining a general method by which several of the recently developed approaches to the multiple target tracking problem will be combined in a system using a phased array type antenna. The general approach is to use gating and other tests to define the tracking environment and then to choose the appropriate tracking methods and sampling interval. Detailed methods and results are presented for two specific areas. These are the application of a phased array antenna to the detection and tracking of maneuvering targets and to the initiation of separate tracks on two closely spaced targets.