Interacting Multiple Model-Feedback Particle Filter for Stochastic Hybrid Systems

In this paper, a novel feedback control-based particle filter algorithm for the continuous-time stochastic hybrid system estimation problem is presented. This particle filter is referred to as the interacting multiple model-feedback particle filter (IMM-FPF), and is based on the recently developed feedback particle filter. The IMM-FPF is comprised of a series of parallel FPFs, one for each discrete mode, and an exact filter recursion for the mode association probability. The proposed IMM-FPF represents a generalization of the Kalmanfilter based IMM algorithm to the general nonlinear filtering problem. The remarkable conclusion of this paper is that the IMM-FPF algorithm retains the innovation error-based feedback structure even for the nonlinear problem. The interaction/merging process is also handled via a control-based approach. The theoretical results are illustrated with the aid of a numerical example problem for a maneuvering target tracking application

Study of Multi-Modal and Non-Gaussian Probability Density Functions in Target Tracking with Applications to Dim Target Tracking

The majority of deployed target tracking systems use some variant of the Kalman filter for their state estimation algorithm. In order for a Kalman filter to be optimal, the measurement and state equations must be linear and the process and measurement noises must be Gaussian random variables (or vectors). One problem arises when the state or measurement function becomes a multi-modal Gaussian mixture. This typically occurs with the interactive multiple model (IMM) technique and its derivatives and also with probabilistic and joint probabilistic data association (PDA/JPDA) algorithms. Another common problem in target tracking is that the target\u27s signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the sensor is often low. This situation is often referred to as the dim target tracking or track-before-detect (TBD) scenario. When this occurs, the probability density function (PDF) of the measurement likelihood function becomes non-Gaussian and often has a Rayleigh or Ricean distribution. In this case, a Kalman filter variant may also perform poorly. The common solution to both of these problems is the particle filter (PF). A key drawback of PF algorithms, however, is that they are computationally expensive. This dissertation, thus, concentrates on developing PF algorithms that provide comparable performance to conventional PFs but at lower particle costs and presents the following four research efforts. 1. A multirate multiple model particle filter (MRMMPF) is presented in Section-3. The MRMMPF tracks a single, high signal-to-noise-ratio, maneuvering target in clutter. It coherently accumulates measurement information over multiple scans via discrete wavelet transforms (DWT) and multirate processing. This provides the MRMMPF with a much stronger data association capability than is possible with a single scan algorithm. In addition, its particle filter nature allows it to better handle multiple modes that arise from multiple target motion models. Consequently, the MRMMPF provides substantially better root-mean-square error (RMSE) tracking performance than either a full-rate or multirate Kalman filter tracker or full-rate multiple model particle filter (MMPF) with a same particle count. 2. A full-rate multiple model particle filter for track-before-detect (MMPF-TBD) and a multirate multiple model particle filter for track-before-detect (MRMMPF-TBD) are presented in Section-4. These algorithms extend the areas mentioned above and track low SNR targets which perform small maneuvers. The MRMMPF-TBD and MMPF-TBD both use a combined probabilistic data association (PDA) and maximum likelihood (ML) approach. The MRMMPF-TBD provides equivalent RMSE performance at substantially lower particle counts than a full-rate MMPF-TBD. In addition, the MRMMPF-TBD tracks very dim constant velocity targets that the MMPF-TBD cannot. 3. An extended spatial domain multiresolutional particle filter (E-SD-MRES-PF) is developed in Section-5. The E-SD-MRES-PF modifies and extends a recently developed spatial domain multiresolutional particle filter prototype. The prototype SD-MRES-PF was only demonstrated for one update cycle. In contrast, E-SD-MRES-PF functions over multiple update cycles and provides comparable RMSE performance at a reduced particle cost under a variety of PDF scenarios. 4. Two variants of a single-target Gaussian mixture model particle filter (GMMPF) are presented in Section-6. The GMMPF models the particle cloud as a Gaussian finite mixture model (FMM). MATLAB simulations show that the GMMPF provides performance comparable to a particle filter but at a lower particle cost

A Survey of Recent Advances in Particle Filters and Remaining Challenges for Multitarget Tracking

[EN]We review some advances of the particle filtering (PF) algorithm that have been achieved in the last decade in the context of target tracking, with regard to either a single target or multiple targets in the presence of false or missing data. The first part of our review is on remarkable achievements that have been made for the single-target PF from several aspects including importance proposal, computing efficiency, particle degeneracy/impoverishment and constrained/multi-modal systems. The second part of our review is on analyzing the intractable challenges raised within the general multitarget (multi-sensor) tracking due to random target birth and termination, false alarm, misdetection, measurement-to-track (M2T) uncertainty and track uncertainty. The mainstream multitarget PF approaches consist of two main classes, one based on M2T association approaches and the other not such as the finite set statistics-based PF. In either case, significant challenges remain due to unknown tracking scenarios and integrated tracking management

Particle Filtering Under General Regime Switching

In this paper, we consider a new framework for particle filtering under model uncertainty that operates beyond the scope of Markovian switching systems. Specifically, we develop a novel particle filtering algorithm that applies to general regime switching systems, where the model index is augmented as an unknown time-varying parameter in the system. The proposed approach does not require the use of multiple filters and can maintain a diverse set of particles for each considered model through appropriate choice of the particle filtering proposal distribution. The flexibility of the proposed approach allows for long-term dependencies between the models, which enables its use to a wider variety of real-world applications. We validate the method on a synthetic data experiment and show that it outperforms state-of-the-art multiple model particle filtering approaches that require the use of multiple filters.Comment: Accepted to EUSIPCO 202

The shifted Rayleigh mixture filter for bearings-only tracking of maneuvering targets

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Multi-sensor data fusion techniques for RPAS detect, track and avoid

Accurate and robust tracking of objects is of growing interest amongst the computer vision scientific community. The ability of a multi-sensor system to detect and track objects, and accurately predict their future trajectory is critical in the context of mission- and safety-critical applications. Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) are currently not equipped to routinely access all classes of airspace since certified Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) systems are yet to be developed. Such capabilities can be achieved by incorporating both cooperative and non-cooperative DAA functions, as well as providing enhanced communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) services. DAA is highly dependent on the performance of CNS systems for Detection, Tacking and avoiding (DTA) tasks and maneuvers. In order to perform an effective detection of objects, a number of high performance, reliable and accurate avionics sensors and systems are adopted including non-cooperative sensors (visual and thermal cameras, Laser radar (LIDAR) and acoustic sensors) and cooperative systems (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)). In this paper the sensors and system information candidates are fully exploited in a Multi-Sensor Data Fusion (MSDF) architecture. An Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) and a more advanced Particle Filter (PF) are adopted to estimate the state vector of the objects based for maneuvering and non-maneuvering DTA tasks. Furthermore, an artificial neural network is conceptualised/adopted to exploit the use of statistical learning methods, which acts to combined information obtained from the UKF and PF. After describing the MSDF architecture, the key mathematical models for data fusion are presented. Conceptual studies are carried out on visual and thermal image fusion architectures