Cambridge Pixel, an award-winning supplier of radar display, tracking and recording subsystems, has enhanced its popular, field-proven SPx radar tracking software with new modelling algorithms to support the detection and tracking of very small targets
The new Model-based Tracking extensions allow the operator to create multiple models that match the signature of likely small and weak targets such as a swimmer or crawler, rigid inflatable boat (RIB), jet ski, helicopter, small UAV or a motorbike.
The tracker can also be configured to look for specific scenarios, such as targets moving towards a sensitive location or on a specific heading. Importantly, the tracking software allows multiple types of target to be acquired from the same data set.
Cambridge Pixel software director Richard Warren said: "Radar sensors are offering more capabilities to detect targets of interest, but targets of interest are getting smaller and more agile, so advances in software processing are a key part of the overall detection solution.
"With our enhanced target tracking software combining a multi-hypothesis approach with this multi-model capability, small and weak targets can now be detected and tracked even in cluttered environments. Our software is highly flexible and can work with a wide range of commercial and military radars to assist our customers in providing effective security and to combat an increase in terrorism, smuggling, piracy and insurgency."
Cambridge Pixel’s SPx radar tracking software is designed to operate with many different radar types and is already widely deployed in command and control, maritime navigation, security, airports and vessel traffic applications.
The software receives radar video as either radar signals through an acquisition card, as ASTERIX CAT-240 network data or in one of a number of radar-specific proprietary formats. Radar video is processed to attenuate noise and clutter and then target-like detections are extracted as plots. The plots are then correlated to identify candidate targets for fully automatic acquisition.
Cambridge Pixel’s SPx radar tracker is a best-in-class software-based COTS primary radar data extractor and target tracker that provides target track identification, heading and speed. It is fully parameterised, highly configurable and supports multi-hypothesis tracking to improve tracking efficiency and reduce nuisance alarms.
Cambridge Pixel’s SPx radar tracking software is part of the company’s world-leading SPx suite of software libraries and applications providing highly flexible, ready-to-run software products for radar scan conversion, visualisation, radar video distribution, target tracking, sensor fusion, plot extraction and clutter processing.
Cambridge Pixel’s technology is used in naval, air traffic control, vessel traffic, commercial shipping, security, surveillance and airborne radar applications. Its systems have been implemented in mission critical applications with companies such as BAE Systems, Frontier Electronic Systems, Barco Defence, Blighter Surveillance Systems, DRS, Exelis, Kelvin Hughes, Lockheed Martin, Navantia, Navtech Radar, Raytheon, Saab, Royal Thai Air Force, Samsung Thales, Sofresud and Tellumat.
Cambridge Pixel will be showcasing its new SPx radar tracking software on stand G27 in Hall 2b (UK Pavilion) at Euronaval in Paris from 17-21 October 2016.