Detection of Target Multiplicity Using Monopulse Quadrature Angle

The feasibility of using the indicated quadrature angle of arrival of a monopulse radar to discriminate a single target from multiple targets, separated in angle within a radar resolution cell, is investigated. The analysis is performed for steady (fixed) and Rayleigh fluctuating targets which cover a broad range of target characteristics. In both cases, the interfering signals due to noise and clutter in the sum and difference monopulse channels are assumed to be independent, zero-mean Gaussian processes. Detection and false alarm probabilities are evaluated analytically and the receiver operating characteristics are obtained for both fixed and fluctuating target cases. It is shown that multiple targets can be discriminated from a single target condition by integrating the indicated monopulse quadrature angle of arrival from several independent pulses. It is also shown that the probability of detecting multiple targets increases as the fluctuation in the target radar cross section decreases, approaching the fixed amplitude case in the limit.     

Heading and Speed Errors for x, y Tracking Filters

Heading and speed errors are analytically determined for noneumavering targets at the output of an x, y tracking filter which processes range and bearing measurements from a radar sensor in a track-while-scan (TWS) operation. These errors are shown to depend upon target range and speed, the angle between the radius and velocity vectors, sensor accuracies, and tracking filter parameters. eters. Depending upon the tracking filter implementation, these errors may also be a function of target bearing.     

Tracker and signal processing for the benchmark problem with unresolved targets

Radar signal processing is particularly important in tracking closely spaced targets and targets in the presence of sea-surface-induced multipath. Closely spaced targets can produce unresolved measurements when they occupy the same range cell of the radar. These issues are the salient features of the benchmark problem for tracking unresolved targets combined with radar management, for which this paper presents the only complete solution to date. In this paper a modified version of a recently developed maximum likelihood (ML) angle estimator, which can produce two measurements from a single (unresolved) detection, is presented. A modified generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) is also described to detect the presence of two unresolved targets. Sea-surface-induced multipath can produce a severe bias in the elevation angle measurement when the conventional monopulse ratio angle extractor method is used. A modified version of a recently developed ML angle extractor, which produces nearly unbiased elevation angle measurements and significantly improves the track accuracy, is presented. Efficient radar resource allocation algorithms for two closely spaced targets and targets flying close to the sea surface are also presented. Finally, the IMMPDAF (interacting multiple model estimator with probabilistic data association filter modules) is used to track these targets. It is found that a two-model IMMPDAF performs better than the three-model version used in the previous benchmark. Also, the IMMPDAF with a coordinated turn model works better than the one using a Wiener process acceleration model. The signal processing and tracking algorithms presented here, operating in a feedback manner, form a comprehensive solution to the most realistic tracking and radar management problem to date.     

Correlation between horizontal and vertical monopulse measurements

Many radar systems use the monopulse ratio to extract angle of arrival (AOA) measurements in both azimuth and elevation angles. The accuracies of each such measurement are reasonably well known: each measurement is, conditioned on the sum-signal return, Gaussian-distributed with calculable bias (relative to the true AOA), and variance. However, we note that the two monopulse ratios are functions of basic radar measurements that are not entirely independent, specifically in that the sum signal is common to both. The effect of this is that the monopulse ratios are dependent, and a simple explicit expression is given for their correlation; this is of considerable interest when the measurements are supplied to a tracking algorithm that requires a measurement covariance matrix. The system performance improvement when this is taken into account is quantified: while it makes little difference for a tracking radar with small pointing errors, there are more substantial gains when a target is allowed to stray within the beam, as with a rotating (track-while-scan) radar or when a single radar dwell interrogates two or more targets at different ranges. But in any case, the correct covariance expression is so simple that there is little reason not to use it. We additionally derive the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) on joint azimuth/elevation angle estimation and discover that it differs only slightly from the covariance matrix corresponding to the individual monopulse ratios. Hence, using the individual monopulse ratios and their simple joint accuracy expression is an adequate and quick approximation of the optimal maximum likelihood procedure for single resolved targets.     

一种基于三维到达角的无偏伪线性卡尔曼滤波

为了解决大场景下基于三维到达角的目标跟踪问题，提出了一种具有无偏性的伪线性卡尔曼滤波。首先，基于三维到达角信息对目标运动模型与量测模型进行建模；之后，对量测模型进行了伪线性化处理，得到了线性形式的目标量测模型。为了解决伪线性卡尔曼滤波存在的有偏性问题，提出了一种结合EKF（extend Kalman filter）的三维伪线性无偏卡尔曼滤波。仿真实验表明，该模型能够对非机动目标与机动目标有效跟踪，对于百公里级别的目标，当角测量误差从0.1°变化到0.5°，算法在仿真时间结束时均能将绝对位置误差降低至10 km以内，且算法的运行速度与EKF为同一个量级，同时兼顾了抗干扰能力、定位跟踪精度、运行效率的要求，能够为大场景下的目标跟踪提供有效方法。     

基于序贯关联算法的多目标无源跟踪

基于序贯关联算法,对多目标无源跟踪问题进行了研究。在只有角度信息可以利用的情况下,首先,利用波门技术对各个无源传感器角度测量数据进行关联和滤波,形成参数航迹;然后,将各个无源传感器的参数航迹送到融合中心进行关联配对,并在关联过程中通过构造关联质量函数对参数航迹的关联历史情况进行度量,解决参数航迹关联模糊问题;最后,通过对关联成功的参数航迹进行交叉定位,给出多个不同目标的位置信息,实现分布式无源系统对多目标的数据关联和跟踪,并通过仿真分析,对算法的有效性和可行性进行验证。     

Variance Analysis of the Angle Output Voltage for an Amplitude Monopulse Receiver

The amplitude-comparison monopulse receiver utilizes two overlapping antenna patterns to determine the angle of arrival of an incoming RF signal for use in a direction-finding application. The thermal noise introduced by the receiver distorts the signal, causing an error in determining the exact angle of arrival of the signal. The analysis derives an expression for the deviation of the angle output voltage, or the angular error, due to receiver noise as a function of 1) the angle of arrival and 2) the signal-to-noise ratios of the two channels of the receiver. A receiver using a square-law detector and one using a linear detector are analyzed.     

直达与非直达环境中的多目标解耦直接定位方法

针对直达（LOS）与非直达（NLOS）环境中的定位问题,提出了一种波形已知条件下的单阵地多目标直接定位（DPD）算法。该算法针对发射时间已知和未知两种情况,利用多径信号到达角度与时延关于障碍物（或反射体）、观测站与目标位置参数的数学关系,建立了三维目标位置的最大似然（ML）函数,无需估计测量参数,避免了传统两步定位方法所需的非直达径识别与数据关联。为了克服多目标定位中的高维非线性优化问题,该算法利用独立波形信息将多目标定位解耦为对各个目标单独求解。通过对目标函数有效近似,算法在发射时间已知和未知两种情况下均仅需三维网格搜索,比相应的两步定位方法具有更低的计算量。此外,基于多径定位场景,推导了发射时间已知和未知两种情况下的位置估计克拉美罗界（CRB）。仿真结果表明：算法的定位性能能够逼近相应的克拉美罗界,比传统两步定位方法和子空间直接定位算法具有更高的定位精度。     

Approximate Maximum Likelihood Algorithm for Moving Source Localization Using TDOA and FDOA Measurements

 A closed-form approximate maximum likelihood (AML) algorithm for estimating the position and velocity of a moving source is proposed by utilizing the time difference of arrival (TDOA) and frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) measurements of a signal received at a number of receivers. The maximum likelihood (ML) technique is a powerful tool to solve this problem. But a direct approach that uses the ML estimator to solve the localization problem is exhaustive search in the solution space, and it is very computationally expensive, and prohibits real-time processing. On the basis of ML function, a closed-form approximate solution to the ML equations can be obtained, which can allow real-time implementation as well as global convergence. Simulation results show that the proposed estimator achieves better performance than the two-step weighted least squares (WLS) approach, which makes it possible to attain the Cram閞-Rao lower bound (CRLB) at a sufficiently high noise level before the threshold effect occurs.     

A PDF multisensor multitarget tracker

A previously presented probability density function (pdf) multitarget tracker is extended to a more complex and difficult problem. The input data is bearing measurements from multiple sensors over time, which includes clutter (false alarms) and true measurements (from detected targets) with errors. Targets may be missed. The output is the real-time determination of the number of targets present and their geographic x,y location. The implementation is the recursive numerical computation of the discrete pdf of each target and is derived from the conceptual joint pdf of all targets     

Improved Three Subaperture Method for Elevation Angle Estimation

The three subaperture method is a technique for estimating the arrival angles of two targets located in the main beam of a radar. The problem of estimating the arrival angle of a target in the presence of multipath is considered, and it is shown how the accuracy of the three subaperture method can be improved by making use of the information that the amplitude of the direct ray is larger than that of the reflected ray.     

Maximum likelihood angle extractor for two closely spaced targets

In a scenario of closely spaced targets special attention has to be paid to radar signal processing. We present an advanced processing technique, which uses the maximum likelihood (ML) criterion to extract from a monopulse radar separate angle measurements for unresolved targets. This processing results in a significant improvement, in terms of measurement error standard deviations, over angle estimators using the monopulse ratio. Algorithms are developed for Swerling I as well as Swerling III models of radar cross section (RCS) fluctuations. The accuracy of the results is compared with the Cramer Rao lower bound (CRLB) and also to the monopulse ratio technique. A novel technique to detect the presence of two unresolved targets is also discussed. The performance of the ML estimator was evaluated in a benchmark scenario of closely spaced targets - closer than half power beamwidth of a monopulse radar. The interacting multiple model probabilistic data association (IMMPDA) track estimator was used in conjunction with the ML angle extractor     

Angle Estimation in Amplitude Comparison Monopulse Systems

The problem of estimation of angle of arrival in amplitude comparison monopulse (ACM) radars in the presence of internally generated thermal noise is considered. A pulse-type radar is assumed and angular noise is postulated to be absent. In the treatment of the problem, explicit inclusion of various simple models for the pulse returns is made to draw a relationship between the a priori statistics of the echo signals and the ability to estimate the angle of arrival in ACM radars. A maximum likelihood analysis is made to determine the form of the estimates of angle of arrival for the various cases and the accuracy of these estimates is evaluated as a function of the signal-to-noise ratio per hit and of the number of hits. Although most of the estimates considered have already received attention, many of the results are believed to be new.     

非合作目标动态RCS仿真方法

针对非合作目标难以开展动态测量的问题,根据空气动力学原理提出了一种非合作目标动态雷达散射截面（RCS）仿真方法。该方法首先建立测量背景下典型飞行航路模型,然后计算雷达视线在机体坐标系上的时变姿态角。根据姿态角开展电磁计算,获得F-117A隐身攻击机在侧站平飞、背站拉起、对站俯冲、侧站盘旋4种航路下的动态RCS数据。着重分析了动、静态RCS特性在起伏目标检测性能评估上的差异。结果表明：静态RCS特性难以反映目标运动时真实的雷达特性,利用静态数据描述目标特性可能导致错误结论,而文中方法获取的动态RCS数据可以提高结论的完整性和可信度。     

Refraction Error in Measurement of Angle of Arrival with the Radio Interferometer

The ``extra-path' error in the measurement of angle of arrival with the radio interferometer is analyzed as a function of target coordinates and baseline B for an exponential atmosphere. By treating the error rather than the measurement and by formulating the error in terms of well-known radar refraction parameters, the necessity for numerical integrations characteristic of earlier approaches is avoided. The table of computed errors shows that angle of arrival can be measured to an accuracy of 0.01 mrad for B?500 meters.     

Arrival Times of Satellite-Broadened Laser Pulses

A method for measuring the time of arrival of very narrow laser pulses which have been reflected and randomly broadened by a target is examined. It is known that these return pulses from the target have very small rise times. A threshold detection algorithm that detects the rising edge of the pulse is used for obtaining the pulse arrival times. The errors of the scheme are evaluated numerically for different pulse shapes, and a loose bound on the errors of detecting a typical pulse is obtained. Finally, a gamma-density model is used to characterize the random gain processes of the optical receiver, and the effect of such random gains on the errors of threshold detection is analyzed.     

Radar measurement extraction in the presence of sea-surface multipath

In the presence of sea-surface multipath monopulse radar signals from a low elevation target have three alternative paths in addition to the direct (radar-to-target) path due to reflections from the sea surface. The specular reflection causes significant signal fading. The diffuse reflection causes an approximately constant bias to the in-phase component of the monopulse ratio, which is the standard extractor of the direction of arrival (DOA) in the monopulse processing. The diffuse reflection also causes higher standard deviation to the in-phase component of the monopulse ratio. We propose a maximum likelihood (ML) angle extraction technique for low elevation targets of known average signal strength having a Rayleigh fluctuation. The results show that this method reduces the error of the estimated angle compared with the conventional monopulse ratio estimator. Subsequently, the ML angle extractor is modified for the unknown average signal strength case. This modified angle extractor has only a small performance degradation compared with the known average signal strength case, but it performs much better than the monopulse ratio based estimator. An algorithm to calculate the accuracy of the estimated angle (or height) is also presented. This angle extractor reduces the root-mean-square error (RMSE) by more than 50% in the signal processing stage when used in a low flying target tracking scenario. The same algorithm can be used to track sea skimmers.     

Geolocation of a known altitude object from TDOA and FDOA measurements

Most satellite systems for locating an object on Earth use only time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements. When there are relative motions between an emitter and receivers, frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) measurements can be used as well. Often, the altitude of an object is known (it is zero, for example) or can be measured with an altimeter. Two sets of geolocation solutions are proposed which exploit the altitude constraint to improve the localization accuracy. One is for TDOAs alone and the other for the combination of TDOA and FDOA measurements. The additional complexity by imposing the constraint is a one-dimensional Newton's search and the rooting of a polynomial. The covariance matrices of the new estimators are derived under a small measurement noise assumption and shown to attain the constrained Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB). When there is a bias error in the assumed altitude, using the altitude constraint will introduce a bias to the solution. Since applying the constraint decreases the variance, there is a tradeoff between variance and bias in the mean square error (MSE). The maximum allowable altitude error such that the constraint solution will remain superior to the unconstraint is given. Simulation results are included to corroborate the theoretical development.     

Angle estimation for two unresolved targets with monopulse radar

Most present-day radar systems use monopulse techniques to extract angular measurements of sunbeam accuracy. The familiar "monopulse ratio" is a very effective means to derive the angle of a single target within a radar beam. For the simultaneous estimation of the angles of two closely-spaced targets, a modification on the monopulse ratio was derived in (Blair and Pearce, 2001), while (Sinha et al., 2002) presented a maximum likelihood (ML) technique via numerical search. In this paper it is shown that the ML solution can in fact be found explicitly, and the numerical search of ((Sinha et al., 2002) is unnecessary. However, the ML solution requires the signal to noise ratio (SNR) for each target to be known, and hence we generalize it so it requires only the relative SNR. Several versions of expectation maximization (EM) joint angle estimators are also derived, these differing in the degree to which prior information on SNR and on beam pattern are assumed. The performances of the different direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimators for unresolved targets are studied via Monte Carlo, and it is found that most have similar performance: this is remarkable since the use of prior information (SNR, relative SNR, beam pattern) varies widely between them. There is, however, considerable performance variability as a function of the two targets' off-boresight angles. A simple combined technique that fuses the results from different approaches is thus proposed, and it performs well uniformly.     

Range Resolution of Targets Using Automatic Detectors

When two targets are closely separated in range, automatic detectors will declare the presence of only one target. To increase the-probability of resolving targets in range, log video should be used and the threshold should be of the form T = ? + F, where the mean ? is the smaller of the two means calculated from reference cells on either the greater range side or the lesser range side of the test cell and F is a fixed number. When the adjacent-detection merging algorithm is used, the probability of resolving targets does not rise above 0.9 until the targets are separated in range by 2.5lse-pulsewidths.