Airborne GMTI radar position bias estimation using static-rotatortargets of opportunity

In target tracking systems: using GMTI (ground moving target indicator) radars on airborne platforms, the locations of these platforms are available from GPS-based estimates. However, these estimated locations are subject to errors that are, typically, stationary autocorrelated random processes, i.e., slowly varying biases. In situations where there are no known-location targets to estimate these biases, the next best recourse is to use targets of opportunity at fixed but unknown locations. Such targets can be, e.g., static rotators (ground-based radars with rotating antenna), which yield detections in moving target indicator (MTI) radars. It is shown that these biases can be estimated in such a scenario, i.e., they meet the complete observability condition. Following this, the achievable accuracy for a generic scenario is evaluated. It is shown that accurate georegistration can be obtained even with a small number of measurements     

A Novel Procedure for Assessing the Accuracy of Hyperbolic Multilateration Systems

This paper describes a novel procedure for determing the accuracy of hyperbolic multilateration systems. Basically, the procedure links the conventional accuracy measures (e. g., GDOP) to the moments and products of inertia of a mass configuration that is easily derived from the system geometry. Thus, the problem of determining accuracy measures is reduced to that of calculating simple moments and products of inertia. The insight provided by the procedure makes it possible to derive a variety of useful approximations for GDOP and other accuracy measures.     

Range and Bearing Estimation in Passive Sonar

Passive sonar systems are used for estimating the range and bearing of signal sources, such as ships or submarines. In this study, the Cramer-Rao bounds on estimation errors are used as measures of the accuracy of the estimates. The bounds show how parameters such as observation time, signal bandwidth, signal-to-noise ratio, and array geometry can be chosen to obtain maximum accuracy. When the array geometry satisfies certain conditions, the bound for range estimate is shown to be independent of the actual source bearing and the bound for bearing estimate independent of both the range and bearing of the source. It is also shown that the same conditions on array geometry ensure that the range or bearing estimation accuracy is not degraded when tne other pammeter is not known.     

用差分法处理相关性测量数据方法探讨

当测量参数（或称测量元素）具有强相关性时,运用测量求差法解算测量结果,能消除相关性误差因素的影响,获得高精度测量结果,如电影望远镜同帧画幅测量脱靶量.基于此,运用测量方法和数学手段构建一个虚拟的元素相关测量系统,以消除相关性误差因素的影响,同样能获得理想结果.用多台测速雷达组成的系统,可使火炮弹丸空间坐标的测量精度达到毫米量级,从而满足多种火炮立靶密集度的测量精度要求.     

Trigonometric Approximations for Bessel Functions

Bessel functions, used extensively in mathematical physics, electromagnetics, and communication-system theory, must often be approximated by appropriate formulas. The functions J?(x) and I?(x) for integer values of p are well approximated by the sum of a small number of circular and hyperbolic sines or cosines, respectively, when x is not too large, e.g., less than 10, and convenient expressions are obtained for their errors. These approximations are especially convenient for use on personal computers (PCs) and pocket calculators and in analytically evaluating integrals.     

Prediction of Differential Time-e-Delay Errors in HF Hyperbolic Position-Fixing Systems

Differential time-delay errors in HF hyperbolic position-fixing systems arising from ionospheric propagation time delays are estimated by employing a propagation prediction model for several path-pairs. A comparison of the prediction model results with experimental observations indicates that the differential time-delay errors can be reduced significantly by the use of the prediction model.     

H_∞滤波算法及其在GPS/SINS组合导航系统中的应用

 在对 H∞ 估计问题进行数学描述的基础上,建立了一种 H∞ 次优滤波算法的迭代方程。定性讨论了H∞滤波算法与传统 Kalman滤波器的关系,通过在 GPS/SINS组合系统中的实际应用进一步从精度、鲁棒性等性能指标方面对 H∞ 滤波和 Kalman滤波算法进行了比较。仿真结果表明,在理想条件下,Kalman滤波方法具有较高的精度;但是,当系统模型和外部干扰统计特性发生变化时,H∞ 滤波算法明显具有良好的鲁棒性能,同时,估计精度也较高,有效地克服了 Kalman滤波器存在的局限性。     

Joint sensor registration and track-to-track fusion for distributed trackers

Sensor registration deals with the correction of registration errors and is an inherent problem in all multisensor tracking systems. Traditionally, it is viewed as a least squares or a maximum likelihood problem independent of the fusion problem. We formulate it as a Bayesian estimation problem where sensor registration and track-to-track fusion are treated as joint problems and provide solutions in cases 1) when sensor outputs (i.e., raw data) are available, and 2) when tracker outputs (i.e., tracks) are available. The solution to the latter problem is of particular significance in practical systems as band limited communication links render the transmission of raw data impractical and most of the practical fusion systems have to depend on tracker outputs rather than sensor outputs for fusion. We then show that, under linear Gaussian assumptions, the Bayesian approach leads to a registration solution based on equivalent measurements generated by geographically separated radar trackers. In addition, we show that equivalent measurements are a very effective way of handling sensor registration problem in clutter. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm adequately estimates the biases, and the resulting central-level trucks are free of registration errors.     

High accuracy navigation and landing system using GPS/IMU systemintegration

In this paper, the accuracy, integrity and continuity of function requirements for automatic landing systems using satellite navigation systems are discussed. Such a landing system is the integrated navigation and landing system (INLS) developed by Deutsche Aerospace (DASA/Ulm, Germany). The system concepts of the INLS are presented. It is shown how an INLS, based on system integration of a satellite navigation system (e.g., GPS) in realtime differential mode with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) in the accuracy class of an attitude and heading reference system (AHRS), can meet the requirements: the results given are mainly devoted to the accuracy issues. Using Kalman filter techniques, an in-flight calibration of the IMU is performed. The advantage of system integration, especially in dynamic flight conditions and during phases of flight with satellite masking, is explained. The accuracy, integrity and continuity of function of the INLS were proven by means of flight tests in a commuter aircraft using a laser tracker as a reference. These flight tests have shown that the short-term accuracy (<60 seconds) of the AHRS used within the INLS has been improved from low cost sensor quality to the accuracy of a high quality laser inertial navigation system (LNIS). With the presented INLS, a landing at any airfield, not equipped with conventional Instrument Landing System (ILS) or Microwave Landing System (MLS), is possible by using a very cost effective system. The INLS is a high accuracy navigation and landing system designed to be used instead of conventional landing systems at small airfields and to fill operational gaps of conventional navigation and landing systems in cruise and approach on large airports     

Road profile recognition for autonomous car navigation and Navstar GPS support

We discuss autonomous car navigation based on updating dead reckoning (DR) by road profile recognition (RPR). The navigation system requires sensors to detect changes in altitude and driving direction which are installed in modern cars for different purposes (e.g. ABS sensors). The layout of the navigation system is discussed and simulations are carried out over driving distances of approximately 150 km on the basis of realistic road data and ordinary sensor accuracies. Positioning errors of lower than 10 m (standard deviation) are observed. To achieve this accuracy the synchronization error between measured and mapped data must be continually estimated. The introduced navigation method is ideal to complete present commercial car navigation systems using Navstar GPS.     

Positioning error compensation of an industrial robot using neural networks and experimental study

Due to the characteristics of high efficiency, wide working range, and high flexibility,industrial robots are being increasingly used in the industries of automotive, machining, electrical and electronic, rubber and plastics, aerospace, food, etc. Whereas the low positioning accuracy,resulted from the serial configuration of industrial robots, has limited their further developments and applications in the field of high requirements for machining accuracy, e.g., aircraft assembly.In this paper, a...     

In search of other planetary systems

Numerous recent developments have led to an increasing awareness of and interest in the detection of other planetary systems. A brief review of the modern history of this subject is presented with emphasis on the status of data concerning Barnard's star. A discussion is given of plausible observable effects of other planetary systems with numerical examples to indicate the nature of the detection problem. Possible types of information (in addition to discovery) that observations of these effects might yield (e.g., planetary mass and temperature) are outlined. Also discussed are various candidate detection techniques (e.g., astrometric observations) which might be employed to conduct a search, the current state-of-the-art of these techniques in terms of measurement accuracy, and the capability of existing or planned facilities (e.g., space telescope) to perform a search. Finally, consideration is given to possible search strategies and the scope of a comprehensive search program.     

Analysis of airborne GPS multipath effects using high-fidelity EM models

Airborne GPS systems are being upgraded to provide sufficient positioning accuracy to support automatic landing operations in low visibility conditions. This is made possible by differential GPS (DGPS), in which the errors common to the airborne receiver and ground station are removed by knowledge of the latter's precise location. However, errors specific to the airborne system remain, of which the dominant components are receiver noise and multipath. To support the assessment of the integrity of the signal in space, these residual errors are incorporated in a statistically based error model, designated as the "standard model." The standard model is defined as the standard deviation of a Gaussian distribution that overbounds the residual pseudo-range (PR) error. It relates the standard deviation of the overbounding distribution to the elevation angle of the satellite relative to the local level coordinate system. The international community is currently developing improved standards to enable DGPS systems to support landings in the worst visibility conditions (i.e., CAT III). As a part of this development, the standard model for multipath is being re-evaluated and an improved model is sought. In order to better characterize the residual multipath errors, tools for accurate calculation of the airframe scattering effects are needed. Development of such tools is the subject of this paper. A new method for accurately computing pseudo-range error, based on the use of high-fidelity EM models, is described. This approach provides new insight into the mechanisms causing multipath error.     

Reduction of Positional Estimate Errors in HF Hyperbolic Position-Fixing Systems

A simple ionospheric prediction model is employed to determine the reduction in the positional estimate errors in HF hyperbolic position-fixing systems provided by the use of the model. Quantitative results of positional estimate errors before and after the application of the model to experimental time-delay data are compared.     

Reflection-Free Electronic Positioning System

Many electronic positioning systems, such as hyperbolic navigation and terminal guidance, suffer large errors from reflection and diffraction of their transmitted waves. The hyperbolic system described herein is free of these errors. Utilizing a pair of frequency-swept transmitters, it discriminates against reflections by separating the direct and reflected received signals into distinct sets of beat-frequency components. It is concluded that the system can suppress multipath reflections and provide flight information particularly useful in a high-density environment.     

Accuracy of source localization using multipath delays

The depth and range of underwater source can be estimated from measurements of propagation delay differences along multiple propagation paths. The accuracy of depth and range estimation using the Cramer-Rao lower bound is studied. The formulas derived can be used in conjunction with a propagation medium (nonconstant velocity profile). Explicit formulas for the bounds are derived for the case of homogeneous medium (constant velocity profile). Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the behavior of these bounds     

Direct-Ranging Loran Model Identification and Performance Predictions

With the availability of modern data processing techniques and lowcost stable time references, the use of Loran in a direct-ranging mode offers certain potential advantages. In order to generate reliable direct-ranging Loran (DRL) performance projections and system designs, however, accurate system error models are required. This paper first describes the processing of airborne flight data from a DRL receiver to identify models for significant DRL system errors. These models are then used in a Kalman filter covariance simulation to generate performance predictions for an optimally integrated DRL system. Comparisons with conventional hyperbolic Loran are also given. DRL is shown to be capable of substantially improved position accuracy over that of conventional hyperbolic Loran, especially in regions of poor geometry. A stationary ground-align technique for improving DRL performance is also discussed.     

顾及空间分布和NLOS的UWB室内可信定位方法

针对现行室内可信定位存在的三维定位精度低与结果可信度难以定量评估的难点,提出了一种可信超宽带(UWB)室内定位模型。该方法采用无迹卡尔曼滤波和IGG-III抗差理论模型,解决了UWB定位中的非线性化和非视距误差问题;同时,为提高该方法定位结果的可信度,进一步构建了一种兼顾UWB基站空间分布和非视距误差的可信精度评估模型。与现有模型相比,提出的方案可有效实现基于UWB的室内高精度可信定位。仿真和实测数据结果表明：1)与传统最小二乘结果相比,该方法可提高30%～40%的UWB定位精度;2)引入IGG-III抗差模型可提高11%的定位精度;3)非线性化误差对UWB定位精度的影响不尽相同,约为22%～50%;4)提出的可信度评估模型可实时准确评估UWB定位精度。     

基于遗传算法优化神经网络的直升机参数选择

在直升机初步设计阶段估算其基本参数是很重要的.神经网络的通用性和精度比传统的估算方法有更多的优势,但是在应用神经网络时存在如何选择合适的网络结构和隐层节点数目等一些困难.应用遗传算法优化三层神经网络结构和连接权重,并将优化得到的网络应用于直升机参数选择中.该方法不但可以给出一个最优的神经网络结构和连接权重,而且降低了估算误差,具有及时应用最新数据学习的能力.此外,该方法易于在直升机设计系统中得到应用.     

Knowledge-based system for multi-target tracking in a littoral environment

The paper addresses how to efficiently exploit the knowledge-base (KB), e.g. environmental maps and characteristics of the targets, in order to gain improved performance in the tracking of multiple targets via measurements provided by a ship-borne radar operating in a littoral environment. In this scenario, the nonhomogeneity of the surveillance region makes the conventional tracking systems (not using the KB) very sensitive to false alarms and/or missed detections. It is demonstrated that an effective use of the KB can be exploited at various levels of the tracking algorithms so as to significantly reduce the number of false alarms, missed detections, and false tracks and improve true target track life. The KB is exploited at two different levels. First, some key parameters of the tracking system are made dependent upon the track location, e.g., sea, land, coast, meteo zones (i.e., zones affected by meteorological phenomena) etc. Second, modifications are introduced to cope with a priori identified regions nit hi high clutter density (e.g. littoral areas, roads, meteo zones etc.). To evaluate the behavior of the proposed knowledge-based tracking systems, extensive results are presented using both simulated and real radar data