A new iterative algorithm for geolocating a known altitude target using TDOA and FDOA measurements in the presence of satellite location uncertainty

This paper considers the problem of geolocating a target on the Earth surface whose altitude is known previously using the target signal time difference of arrival(TDOA) and frequency difference of arrival(FDOA) measurements obtained at satellites. The number of satellites available for the geolocation task is more than sufficient and their locations are subject to random errors. This paper derives the constrained Crame′r-Rao lower bound(CCRLB) of the target position, and on the basis of the CCRLB analysis, an approximately efficient constrained maximum likelihood estimator(CMLE) for geolocating the target is established. A new iterative algorithm for solving the CMLE is then proposed, where the updated target position estimate is shown to be the globally optimal solution to a generalized trust region sub-problem(GTRS) which can be found via a simple bisection search. First-order mean square error(MSE) analysis is conducted to quantify the performance degradation when the known target altitude is assumed to be precise but indeed has an unknown but deterministic error. Computer simulations are used to compare the performance of the proposed iterative geolocation technique with those of two benchmark algorithms. They verify the approximate efficiency of the proposed algorithm and the validity of the MSE analysis.     

A Linear-correction Least-squares Approach for Geolocation Using FDOA Measurements Only

  A linear-correction least-squares(LCLS) estimation procedure is proposed for geolocation using frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) measurements only. We first analyze the measurements of FDOA, and further derive the Cram閞-Rao lower bound (CRLB) of geolocation using FDOA measurements. For the localization model is a nonlinear least squares(LS) estimator with a nonlinear constrained, a linearizing method is used to convert the model to a linear least squares estimator with a nonlinear constrained. The Gauss-Newton iteration method is developed to conquer the source localization problem. From the analysis of solving Lagrange multiplier, the algorithm is a generalization of linear-correction least squares estimation procedure under the condition of geolocation using FDOA measurements only. The algorithm is compared with common least squares estimation. Comparisons of their estimation accuracy and the CRLB are made, and the proposed method attains the CRLB. Simulation results are included to corroborate the theoretical development.     

A closed-form solution for moving source localization using LBI changing rate of phase difference only

Due to the deficiencies in the conventional multiple-receiver localization systems based on direction of arrival(DOA) such as system complexity of interferometer or array and amplitude/phase unbalance between multiple receiving channels and constraint on antenna configuration,a new radiated source localization method using the changing rate of phase difference(CRPD)measured by a long baseline interferometer(LBI) only is studied. To solve the strictly nonlinear problem, a two-stage closed-form solution is proposed. In the first stage, the DOA and its changing rate are estimated from the CRPD of each observer by the pseudolinear least square(PLS) method,and then in the second stage, the source position and velocity are found by another PLS minimization. The bias of the algorithm caused by the correlation between the measurement matrix and the noise in the second stage is analyzed. To reduce this bias, an instrumental variable(IV) method is derived. A weighted IV estimator is given in order to reduce the estimation variance. The proposed method does not need any initial guess and the computation is small. The Cramer–Rao lower bound(CRLB) and mean square error(MSE) are also analyzed. Simulation results show that the proposed method can be close to the CRLB with moderate Gaussian measurement noise.     

A fast pulse phase estimation method for X-ray pulsar signals based on epoch folding

X-ray pulsar-based navigation (XPNAV) is an attractive method for autonomous deep-space navigation in the future. The pulse phase estimation is a key task in XPNAV and its accuracy directly determines the navigation accuracy. State-of-the-art pulse phase estimation techniques either suffer from poor estimation accuracy, or involve the maximization of generally non-convex object function, thus resulting in a large computational cost. In this paper, a fast pulse phase estimation method based on epoch folding is presented. The statistical properties of the observed profile obtained through epoch folding are developed. Based on this, we recognize the joint prob-ability distribution of the observed profile as the likelihood function and utilize a fast Fourier transform-based procedure to estimate the pulse phase. Computational complexity of the proposed estimator is analyzed as well. Experimental results show that the proposed estimator significantly outperforms the currently used cross-correlation (CC) and nonlinear least squares (NLS) estima-tors, while significantly reduces the computational complexity compared with NLS and maximum likelihood (ML) estimators.     

Real-time trajectory planning for UCAV air-to-surface attack using inverse dynamics optimization method and receding horizon control

This paper presents a computationally efficient real-time trajectory planning framework for typical unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) performing autonomous air-to-surface (A/S) attack. It combines the benefits of inverse dynamics optimization method and receding horizon optimal control technique. Firstly, the ground attack trajectory planning problem is mathematically formulated as a receding horizon optimal control problem (RHC-OCP). In particular, an approximate elliptic launch acceptable region (LAR) model is proposed to model the critical weapon delivery constraints. Secondly, a planning algorithm based on inverse dynamics optimization, which has high computational efficiency and good convergence properties, is developed to solve the RHCOCP in real-time. Thirdly, in order to improve robustness and adaptivity in a dynamic and uncer- tain environment, a two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) receding horizon control architecture is introduced and a regular real-time update strategy is proposed as well, and the real-time feedback can be achieved and the not-converged situations can be handled. Finally, numerical simulations demon- strate the efficiency of this framework, and the results also show that the presented technique is well suited for real-time implementation in dynamic and uncertain environment.     

Indirect Radau pseudospectral method for the receding horizon control problem

To solve the receding horizon control (RHC) problem in an online manner, a novel numerical method called the indirect Radau pseudospectral method (IRPM) is proposed in this paper. Based on calculus of variations and the first-order necessary optimality condition, the RHC problem for linear time-varying (LTV) system is transformed into the two-point boundary value problem (TPBVP). The Radau pseudospectral approximation is employed to discretize the TPBVP into well-posed linear algebraic equations. The resulting linear algebraic equations are solved via a matrix partitioning approach afterwards to obtain the optimal feedback control law. For the nonlinear system, the linearization method or the quasi linearization method is employed to approximate the RHC problem with successive linear approximations. Subsequently, each linear problem is solved via the similar method which is used to solve the RHC problem for LTV system. Simulation results of three examples show that the IRPM is of high accuracy and of high compu-tation efficiency to solve the RHC problem and the stability of closed-loop systems is guaranteed.     

Novel passive localization algorithm based on double side matrix-restricted total least squares

In order to solve the bearings-only passive localization problem in the presence of erroneous observer position, a novel algorithm based on double side matrix-restricted total least squares (DSMRTLS) is proposed. First, the aforementioned passive localization problem is transferred to the DSMRTLS problem by deriving a multiplicative structure for both the observation matrix and the observation vector. Second, the corresponding optimization problem of the DSMRTLS problem without constraint is derived, which can be approximated as the generalized Rayleigh quotient minimization problem. Then, the localization solution which is globally optimal and asymptotically unbiased can be got by generalized eigenvalue decomposition. Simulation results verify the rationality of the approximation and the good performance of the proposed algorithm compared with several typical algorithms.     

Semi-analytic Solution of Steady Temperature Fields During Thin Plate Welding

Usually, it is very difficult to find out an analytical solution to thermal conduction problems during high temperature welding. Therefore, as an important numerical approach, the method of lines (MOLs) is introduced to solve the temperature field characterized by high gradients. The basic idea of the method is to semi-discretize the governing equation of the problem into a system of ordinary dif-ferential equations (ODEs) defined on discrete lines by means of the finite difference method, by which the thermal boundary condition with high gradients are directly embodied in formulation. Thus the temperature field can be obtained by solving the ODEs. As a numeri-cal example, the variation of an axisymmetrical temperature field along the plate thickness can be obtained.     

DESIGNING REDUCED-ORDER CONTROLLERS OF MIXED SENSITIVITY PROBLEM FOR FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS

Based on linear matrix inequalities (LMI), the design method of reduced-order controllers of mixed sensitivity problem is studied for flight control systems. It is shown that there exists a controller with order not greater than the difference between the generalized plant order and the number of independent control variables, if the mixed sensitivity problem is solvable for strict regular flight control plants. The proof is constructive, and an approach to design such a controller can be obtained in terms of a pair of feasible solution to the well-known 3 LMI. Finally, an example of mixed sensitivity problem for a flight control system is given to demonstrate practice of the approach.     

A two-step weighted least-squares method for joint estimation of source and sensor locations: A general framework

It is well known that the Two-step Weighted Least-Squares(TWLS) is a widely used method for source localization and sensor position refinement. For this reason, we propose a unified framework of the TWLS method for joint estimation of multiple disjoint sources and sensor locations in this paper. Unlike some existing works, the presented method is based on more general measurement model, and therefore it can be applied to many different localization scenarios.Besides, it does not have the initialization and local convergence problem. The closed-form expression for the covariance matrix of the proposed TWLS estimator is also derived by exploiting the first-order perturbation analysis. Moreover, the estimation accuracy of the TWLS method is shown analytically to achieve the Cramér-Rao Bound(CRB) before the threshold effect takes place. The theoretical analysis is also performed in a common mathematical framework, rather than aiming at some specific signal metrics. Finally, two numerical experiments are performed to support the theoretical development in this paper.     

基于最大似然估计的TDOA/FDOA无源定位偏差补偿算法

在到达时差/到达频差(TDOA/FDOA)无源定位系统中,定位问题的非线性使得定位的结果存在偏差,特别是在噪声较大或者接收站布站不合理的情况下,定位的偏差尤其显著。针对这一问题,提出了一种基于最大似然估计的偏差补偿算法。该方法分为3步:首先,利用最大似然估计器对目标的位置和速度进行求解;其次,通过利用目标定位的估计值和含噪的测量值,对目标的位置和速度偏差值进行理论分析和推导;最后,将最大似然估计解减去理论偏差值,得到经过偏差补偿的新的目标定位解。理论分析和实验仿真证明,在一定噪声的情况下,所推导的目标位置和速度的理论偏差值与实际偏差值相符,并且经过偏差补偿后的定位算法,在保持目标定位的均方根误差(RMSE)与原最大似然算法一致的情况下,目标的位置和速度偏差值远远小于原最大似然算法的偏差值,目标定位精度得到了有效的提高。     

利用重要性采样的时差-频差联合估计算法

针对无源定位中参考信号真实值未知的时差(TDOA)-频差(FDOA)联合估计问题,构建了一种新的时差-频差最大似然(ML)估计模型,并采用重要性采样(IS)方法求解似然函数极大值,得到时差-频差联合估计。算法通过生成时差-频差样本,并统计样本加权均值得到估计值,克服了传统互模糊函数(CAF)算法只能得到时域和频域采样间隔整数倍估计值的问题,且不存在期望最大化(EM)等迭代算法的初值依赖和收敛问题。推导了时差-频差联合估计的克拉美罗下界(CRLB),并通过仿真实验表明,算法的计算复杂度适中,估计精度优于CAF算法和EM算法,在不同信噪比条件下估计误差接近CRLB。     

Emitter localization using clustering-based bearing association

A closed-form emitter location estimator using time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements is developed based on triangulation of hyperbolic asymptotes. The problem of associating the asymptotes with the emitter is solved by clustering the bearing angles of the linear asymptotes using a kernel density estimate. A closed-form estimate of the emitter location is obtained from triangulation of the clustered bearings using a weighted version of the pseudolinear estimator. By way of simulation examples, the proposed closed-form estimator is shown to outperform the computationally demanding and divergence-prone maximum likelihood (ML) estimator at moderate TDOA noise levels.     

一种新的基于TDOA与GROA的无源定位算法

针对基于到达时间差(TDOA)与到达增益比(GROA)的辐射源无源定位问题,提出了一种新的定位算法。首先通过引入一个中间变量,根据TDOA和GROA测量模型,构造一个约束加权最小二乘(CWLS)估计。由于这个CWLS问题是非凸的优化问题,现有的方法不能很好地求解。为此,提出了一种有效的方法可以求解到其全局最优解。最后,所提算法被推广到观测站存在自定位误差时的定位求解。计算机仿真结果验证了所提算法能够获得优于传统两步加权最小二乘法(2WLS)的定位性能,能够在更大的噪声条件下达到克拉美罗下界(CRLB)。     

DOA estimation by exploiting the amplitude modulation induced by antenna scanning

We propose a beamsplitting-like approach to estimate the directions of arrival (DOA) of multiple radar targets present in the mainlobe of a rotating antenna. The proposed method is based on the maximum likelihood (ML) technique and it avoids the need for a difference channel by exploiting knowledge of the antenna main beam pattern. Two scenarios are considered: multiple targets with unknown deterministic complex amplitudes and multiple targets with Gaussian distributed random complex amplitudes. The performance of the proposed estimator is investigated through Monte Carlo simulation and it is compared with the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB).     

Estimation of singularities for intercept point forecasting

In this paper, a recursive approach (an algorithm for estimation of singularity (AES)) is proposed to forecast the intercept point of a target and the pursuing interceptor recognized as the estimated singularity of a nodal cubic curve fitted to the data. The data comprises direction of arrival (DOA) estimates of both target and interceptor obtained at regular intervals of time using the maximum likelihood (ML) DOA estimation method. The estimates of coefficients of the cubic polynomial are given by a recursive least squares solution. From these coefficients, closed-form solutions for angle of interception and intercept time are obtained which are the forecasted coordinates of the intercept point. Experimental results demonstrate performance of the proposed algorithm     

传感器位置误差条件下的约束总体最小二乘时差定位算法

 现代定位系统中,传感器往往被安放在运动平台上,其位置无法精确得知,存在估计误差,将严重影响对目标的定位精度。针对这一问题,提出基于约束总体最小二乘(CTLS)的到达时差(TDOA)定位算法。首先通过引入中间变量,将非线性TDOA定位方程转化为伪线性方程,再利用CTLS技术,全面考虑伪线性方程所有系数中的噪声。在此基础上推导了定位方程的目标函数,再根据牛顿迭代方法,进行数值迭代,快速得到精确解。采用一阶小噪声扰动分析方法,对该算法的理论性能进行了分析,证明了算法的无偏性和逼近克拉美-罗下限(CRLB)。仿真实验表明,该算法克服了现有总体最小二乘(TLS)算法不能达到CRLB、两步加权最小二乘(two-step WLS)算法在较高噪声时性能发散的缺陷,在较高噪声时定位精度仍然能达到CRLB。     

Multiple radar targets estimation by exploiting induced amplitude modulation

This work deals with the problem of estimating complex amplitudes, Doppler frequencies, and directions of arrival (DOA) of multiple targets present in the same range-azimuth resolution cell of a surveillance radar. The maximum likelihood (ML) and the asymptotic (large sample size) ML (AML) estimators are derived. To reduce the computational complexity of the maximization of the nonlinear two-dimensional criterion function of the AML estimator, we propose a computationally efficient algorithm based on the RELAXation method. It allows decoupling the problem of jointly estimating the parameters of the signal components into a sequence of simpler problems, where the parameters of each component are separately and iteratively estimated. The proposed method overcomes the resolution limitation of the classical monopulse technique and resolves multiple targets exhibiting an arbitrarily small difference in azimuth as long as their Doppler frequencies differ at least by the inverse of the number of integrated pulses, provided that enough signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) per pulse is available. The performance of the proposed AML-RELAX estimator is numerically investigated through Monte Carlo simulation and Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) calculation.     

Radar power multiplier for acquisition of low observables using anESA radar

In this paper the acquisition of a low observable (LO) incoming tactical ballistic missile using the measurements from a surface based electronically scanned array (ESA) radar is presented. We present a batch maximum likelihood (ML) estimator to acquire the missile while it is exo-atmospheric. The proposed estimator, which combines ML estimation with the probabilistic data association (PDA) approach resulting in the ML-PDA algorithm to handle false alarms, also uses target features. The use of features facilitates target acquisition under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. Typically, ESA radars operate at 13-20 dB, whereas the new estimator is shown to be effective even at 4 dB SNR (in a resolution cell, at the end of the signal processing chain) for a Swerling III fluctuating target, which represents a significant counter-stealth capability. That is, this algorithm acts as an effective “power multiplier” for the radar by about an order of magnitude. An approximate Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB), quantifying the attainable estimation accuracies and shown to be met by the proposed estimator, is derived as well     

A direct position determination method with combined TDOA and FDOA based on particle filter

The localization of a stationary transmitter using moving receivers is considered. The original Direct Position Determination (DPD) methods, with combined Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) and Frequency Difference of Arrival (FDOA), do not perform well under low Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), and worse still, the computation cost is difficult to accept when the computational capabilities are limited. To get better positioning performance, we present a new DPD algorithm that proves to be more computationally efficient and more precise for weak signals than the conventional approach. The algorithm partitions the signal received with the same receiver into multiple non-overlapping short-time signal segments, and then uses the TDOA, the FDOA and the coherency among the short-time signals to locate the target. The fast maximum likelihood estimation, one iterative method based on particle filter, is designed to solve the problem of high computation load. A secondary but important result is a derivation of closed-form expressions of the Cramer-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB). The simulation results show that the algorithm proposed in this paper outperforms the traditional DPD algorithms with more accurate results and higher computational efficiency, and especially at low SNR, it is more close to the CRLB.