Clutter-based Test Statistics for Automatic Track Initiation

Two test statistics based on clutter characteristics are derived. A tentative track is confirmed when the track-is-on- clutter hypothesis is rejected. A constant and known false track rate results when the assumptions of the null hypothesis are true. The first test statistic is based on the clutter density. A high probability of target detection is resulted when the expected distance to the nearest target peak is less than the expected distance to the nearest clutter peak. The second test statistic is based on the clutter amplitude. A high probability of target detection is resulted when the expected amplitude of the target peak is greater than the expected amplitude of clutter peaks. The behavior of the clutter-based test statistics is compared with the target visibility method, using simulated data. All track initiation methods are applied using a track updater based on probabilistic data association (PDA), extended to incorporate peak amplitude information, which is available.