Transient Response of Tracking Filters with Randomly Interrupted Data

The transient responses during the initialization phase of a first-order α-ß tracking filter and a second-order Kalman filter are evaluated as a function of radar measurement accuracy and the probability of receiving valid data at the prescribed intervals. Monte Carlo simulation results are complemented by analysis of the filtering processes and curves are presented which clearly define the deterioration in filter performance attributable to reduced probabilities of data acquisition. In addition, the responses of α-ß and Kalman filters are shown to be identical when the α, ß gains are selected optimally.