A variable-diameter-arc-helix radon transform for detecting a near space hypersonic maneuvering target

For detection and tracking of a near space hypersonic maneuvering target in a heavy clutter environment, a novel transform domain method called Variable-Diameter-Arc-Helix Radon Transform (VDAH-RT) is proposed as a tool to integrate observations along the maneuvering path. Considering the 3D maneuvering trajectory is like a variable diameter arc helix, the trajectory of near space hypersonic target can be modeled by a variable diameter arc helix. Since the maneuvering parameters are unknown, variable diameter arc helixes with different parameters can be used to match the maneuver track. Using the idea of Radon Transform(RT), the problem of maneuvering trajectory detection and tracking is transformed into the energy peak detection problem in VDAH-RT parameter domain. This Variable-Diameter-Arc-Helix Radon Transform (VDAH-RT) technique extends the RT or HT(Hough Transform) for straight-line features detection to an arbitrary curve trajectory. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm provides great advantage in the detection and tracking of a hypersonic maneuvering dim target.