Long term tracking of a moving target is a difficult problem of great interest at the present time. There are a number of programs investigating various facets of this problem. In the proposed research we tackle the difficulties imposed when a target stops for brief periods of time due to normal traffic. We will develop novel radar signal processing and features for comparison of target signatures collected throughout the move-stop-move cycle. These new techniques will enable a tracker to maintain track on a high valued target regardless of its velocity. The commercial benefits of the proposed research will have an impact on all applications involving tracking and identification of moving targets using high resolution radar. In addition to applications like tracking of high valued targets for defense applications, these techniques could also benefit applications such as detecting and tracking of cars and trucks on highways for traffic flow analysis, safety, counter-terrorism, and law enforcement. Our strategy for commercialization involves producing a real-time implementation of our techniques which we intend to market to various radar manufacturers such as Northrop Grumman Corporation.
