Passive multitarget tracking using transmitters of opportunity

Passive Coherent Location (PCL), which uses commercial signals (e.g., FM broadcast, digital TV) as illuminators of opportunity, is an emerging technology in air defense systems. The advantages of PCL are low cost, low vulnerability to electronic counter measures, early detection of stealthy targets and low-altitude detection. However, limitations of PCL include lack of control over illuminators, limited observability and poor detection due to low Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). This leads to high clutter with low probability of detection of target of interest. In this paper, multiple target tracking algorithms for PCL systems are analyzed to handle low probability of detection and high nonlinearity in the measurement model due to high measurement error. The converted measurement Kalman filter, unscented Kalman filter and particle filter based PHD filter are implemented and compared for PCL radar systems. The feasibility of using transmitters of opportunity for tracking airborne targets is shown on simulated and real data sets.