Multi-Frame Joint Tracking and Shape Estimation Method for Weak Extended Targets

This paper addresses the joint tracking and shape estimation (JTSE) problem of elliptical extended targets in low signal-to-noise (SNR) scenarios using multi-frame joint processing. Considering the weak target echoes and unknown parameters of elliptical extended targets, it is challenging to achieve effective detection and tracking. To solve these problems, a multi-frame tracking and shape estimation (MF-JTSE) method is proposed. This method achieves accurate estimation of motion trajectories and shape parameters including semi-axis lengths simultaneously for unknown priori information. By comparing with single-frame joint tracking and shape estimation (SF-JTSE) methods, simulation results show that the proposed algorithm is able to achieve superior tracking performance and estimation accuracy for extended targets in low SNR scenarios.