High-accuracy target tracking for multistatic passive radar based on a deep feedforward neural network

In radar systems, target tracking errors are mainly from motion models and nonlinear measurements. When we evaluate a tracking algorithm, its tracking accuracy is the main criterion. To improve the tracking accuracy, in this paper we formulate the tracking problem into a regression model from measurements to target states. A tracking algorithm based on a modified deep feedforward neural network (MDFNN) is then proposed. In MDFNN, a filter layer is introduced to describe the temporal sequence relationship of the input measurement sequence, and the optimal measurement sequence size is analyzed. Simulations and field experimental data of the passive radar show that the accuracy of the proposed algorithm is better than those of extended Kalman filter (EKF), unscented Kalman filter (UKF), and recurrent neural network (RNN) based tracking methods under the considered scenarios.