Dynamic Database All Source Fusion
Fuse SIGINT, IMINT, and MTI to Estimate Ground Target Tracks and Types

All-Source Track-to-Track Correlation and Fusion Improve ground vehicle track and identity by fusing MTI, IMINT, and SIGINT Operational Payoff A single, integrated, self-consistent ground picture More continuous vehicle tracks  (e.g., through move-stop-move cycles) Improved vehicle identification Improved target localization

The objective of the All Source Track and Identity Fusion (ATIF) capability is to improve ground vehicle tracking and identification by fusing MTI, IMINT, and SIGINT data.

ATIF takes as input MTI, IMINT, and SIGINT tracks.  It produces as output all source tracks by associating the input tracks, and fusing the corresponding kinematic and attribute state information.  ATIF has been tested on simulated input tracks, as well as tracks derived from JSTARS MTI and several sources of SAR and EO IMINT data.

From a tracking perspective, ATIF has two primary benefits.  The first is that it improves track continuity -- it enables the user to maintain target track longer because ATIF can track through move-stop-move cycles by associating MTI and IMINT hits.  Maintaining target track longer aids situation estimation by reducing the number of track fragments an analyst must interpret.  Current testing indicates that track continuity can be extended by approximately a factor of 2-5. 

The second primary benefit of ATIF is that it improves state estimates.  Target classifications are improved via fusion of classification information across INTs and over time -- the greatest impact of this is on MTI-based mover tracks which can be provided with target classification information via association to SIGINT or IMINT tracks that are far easier to classify.  Kinematic state estimates are also improved via fusion of kinematic information across INTs and over time -- the greatest impact of this is on tracks derived from SIGINT that can be associated to MTI and IMINT tracks, and on MTI track starts/ends that can be associated to IMINT hits.