Abstract: Focusing on the weaknesses of the basic topology track-to-track correlation algorithm, a topology sequence method is introduced. Many application dilemmas, such as uneven space division, an excessive number of heuristic parameters, poor adaption to dense track scenes, can be avoided by the new algorithm. Track-to-track correlation is viewed as a hypothesis test by the new algorithm which makes the theory more rigorous. Moreover, unnecessary topology tests are avoided by versatile auxiliary tests, which improves calculation efficiency greatly. To facilitate engineering application, procedure modifications for different conditions are discussed in detail. Simulation tests show that higher successful correlation ratio and more robust performance are provided by the topology sequence method.

Key words: track-to-track correlation, space topology, hypothesis test, data fusion, radar error