<title>Continuous time representation of multiple hypothesis track data</title>

Abstract

A multiple hypothesis tracking (MHT) system produces multiple data association hypotheses that potentially consist of several tracks on the same target. The relative likelihood of these tracks changes as data are received. Also, the manner in which an MHT system produces and deletes tracks leads to a potential discontinuity in the track numbers associated with a given target. Thus, the direct output of an MHT tracker may be difficult to interpret on a system display or to use to perform track-to-track association in a multiple sensor tracking system. This paper presents a methodology so that the best tracks on a set of targets can be identified and a link provided with previously identified tracks. This allows a multiple sensor tracking system to maintain track-to-track association histories over time. Also, although track numbers change internal to the MHT logic, the methods presented in this paper lead to a user output such that a single track number is maintained on a given target throughout an encounter. Thus, this paper presents a solution to one of the major practical problems associated with the implementation of an MHT system.