Automatic detection and tracking of a small surface watercraft in shallow water using a high-frequency active sonar

A high-frequency (HF) active sonar can be used to detect and track a small fast surface watercraft in shallow water based on the evolution of the watercraft wake observed in the sonar image sequence. An automatic detection and tracking (ADT) algorithm is described for this novel application. For each ping, the measurement of the target's polar position consists of 2 steps. First, the target bearing is estimated by finding the direction of arrival of the cavitation noise emitted by the watercraft. Then range measurements are extracted from the range profile (constant-angle cut of the sonar image) at the estimated target bearing. Range normalization and clutter map processing are used to reduce the number of false measurements. Estimates of the target's Cartesian position and velocity are updated at the sonar pulse repetition rate using the Kalman filter with debiased consistent converted measurements and nearest neighbour data association. The proposed algorithm is demonstrated using real data.     

An improved multiple target angle tracking algorithm

An improved version of a multiple-target-angle tracking algorithm using sensor array outputs is presented. While retaining all the good features of the original algorithm, the improved version greatly reduces the error propagation due to the use of recursive approximations in updating target angle estimates. The assumption of a constant signal covariance matrix is no longer necessary. The improved performance of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by computer simulations dealing with the tracking of two moving targets     

Strategies of developing advanced lunar power systems

Electric and thermal power have to be available at the base site on the lunar surface before the first lunar crew arrives. Unlimited solar energy is available during the lunar day, but this must be stored for use during the lunar night unless nuclear energy systems are available. State-of-the-art candidate systems are reviewed and the production of solar cells on the moon is discussed. Various options for developing a lunar power plant are proposed. These must be simulated and optimized in a real lifecycle systems scenario to provide operations and cost data essential for choosing a strategy.