IMM algorithm based on H∞ filter for maneuvering target tracking

Correct knowledge of noise statistics is essential for an effective estimator in maneuvering target tracking. In practice, however, the noise statistics are usually unknown or not perfectly known. To deal with the estimation problem in linear discrete-time systems with Markov jump parameters, where the measurement noise covariance is unknown, a novel approach is presented in this paper. This approach is based on the interacting multiple model (IMM) framework. An H_∞ filter is employed to construct a noise statistics estimator to obtain the information which is necessary for the IMM algorithm. In our approach, even the priori knowledge of noise statistics is not needed. The noise statistics loss problem is solved while the merits of IMM algorithm is reserved. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated in comparison with single-model H_∞ filter through Monte Carlo simulation for maneuvering target tracking.