What can cause a target swap due to large guard zones or the tracking gate?

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Target swap happens when ARPA has to choose between multiple targets that fall inside the tracking gate. If the tracking gate is too large or traffic is dense, several targets sit within that window, so the tracker may shift from one target to another as it updates. The association process weighs which target best matches the predicted track; when another target within the gate has a stronger or more consistent signal, the active track can be reassigned, resulting in a swap. Guard zones that are large contribute to ambiguity by expanding the area where echoes are considered, increasing the chance of confusion between nearby targets. In short, a wide gate or crowded traffic makes it easier for the system to reallocate the track to a different target. Storms or having no targets don’t inherently cause a swap—the condition called for is the presence of multiple viable targets within the tracking window.