Out-of-sequence data processing for track-before-detect using dynamic programming

In the recent past, tracking applications increasingly develop towards dis- tributed sensor scenarios. In many cases, such schemes must cope with low observable targets in cluttered environments. Furthermore, such a setup suffers from communi- cation delays and timely delayed sensor data. However, Track-before-Detect method- ologies are not suitable for processing time delayed data yet. In this paper, we propose a new extension to a Dynamic Programming Algorithm (DPA) approach for Track- before-Detect in distributed sensor systems. This extension enables the DPA to pro- cess time delayed sensor data directly. Such delay might appear because of varying delays in the installed communication links. The extended DPA is identical to the re- cursive standard DPA in case of all sensor data appear in the timely correct order. In an experimental study, we show that the derived algorithm can compensate all occurring time delays very well.