Coupled sequential detection and estimation procedure for track-before-detect

In this study, the authors consider the coupled sequential detection and estimation of weak targets for track-before-detect algorithm in long range early warning radar. They present a new strategy and develop a coupled cost function consisting of detection, position estimation and tracking estimation loss. In the proposed procedure, the sequential stopping and detection rules are simplified. Moreover, they derive the lower bounds of the detection and estimation probabilities, which can be used to design the suitable related parameter values. Finally, several numerical simulations of the new strategy and the comparisons are presented and discussed.