Optimal observer maneuver for bearings-only tracking

In bearings-only tracking, observer maneuver is critical to ensure observability and to obtain an accurate target localization. Here, optimal control theory is applied to the determination of the course of a constant speed observer that minimizes an accuracy criterion deduced from the Fisher information matrix (FIM). Necessary conditions for optimal maneuver (Euler equations) are established and resolved, partly by analytical means and partly by an iterative numerical procedure. Examples of optimal observer maneuvers are presented and discussed     

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.     

Bernoulli particle flter with observer altitude for maritime radiation source tracking in the presence of measurement uncertainty

For maritime radiation source target tracking in particular electronic counter measures（ECM）environment,there exists two main problems which can deteriorate the tracking performance of traditional approaches.The frst problem is the poor observability of the radiation source.The second one is the measurement uncertainty which includes the uncertainty of the target appearing/disappearing and the detection uncertainty（false and missed detections）.A novel approach is proposed in this paper for tracking maritime radiation source in the presence of measurement uncertainty.To solve the poor observability of maritime radiation source target,using the radiation source motion restriction,the observer altitude information is incorporated into the bearings-only tracking（BOT）method to obtain the unique target localization.Then the two uncertainties in the ECM environment are modeled by the random fnite set（RFS）theory and the Bernoulli fltering method with the observer altitude is adopted to solve the tracking problem of maritime radiation source in such context.Simulation experiments verify the validity of the proposed approach for tracking maritime radiation source,and also demonstrate the superiority of the method compared with the traditional integrated probabilistic data association（IPDA）method.The tracking performance under different conditions,particularly those involving different duration of radiation source opening and switching-off,indicates that the method to solve our problem is robust and effective.     

对卫星目标的仅测角天基单站无源定位可观测性分析

可观测性分析是无源定位与跟踪系统的前提和基础。由于卫星运动系统方程是状态变量的隐函数形式,以及观测方程的非线性,使得对卫星目标仅测角无源定位的可观测性研究难度较大。鉴于此,从伪线性化角度对非线性系统方程进行改造,推导了关于状态变量的显性系统状态方程,对仅测角条件下的单星对星无源定位系统进行了可观测性分析,为进一步研究仅测角单星对星的无源定轨跟踪提供了理论基础。最后给出了仿真实例,验证了理论分析的正确性。     

Bearings-only target motion analysis with acoustic propagation models of uncertain fidelity

The augmented bearings-only target motion analysis (TMA) problem arises when the bearing measurements of the classical bearings-only TMA problem are augmented with received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measurements. A combined acoustic propagation and sensor (CAPS) performance prediction model specifying the conditional density of the SNR measurements is assumed given; however, mismatch may exist between the CAPS model and the real world. We present a novel "missing data" formulation of the augmented bearings-only TMA problem using an empirical maximum a posteriori (EMAP) method for target parameter estimation, and show that it provides a natural and straightforward technique for mitigating CAPS model mismatch. The EMAP approach leads to an iteratively reweighted, linear least-squares algorithm for solving both the augmented bearings-only TMA problem and the classical (nonaugmented) bearings-only TMA problem. Examples are provided.     

Comments on “Discrete-time observability and estimabilityanalysis for bearings-only target motion analysis”

Discusses the extensive mathematical analysis carried out by the authors of the original paper [see ibid., vol. 33, no. 1, p. 178-201, 1997] and submits the following points. The authors used pseudo measurements for recasting the observability problem into a linear framework. They treated the bearings-only passive target tracking system as a deterministic system. It is already established that for deterministic systems, the pseudo measurements are linear functions of the states of the system, though the coefficient matrix is a nonlinear function of the original measurements, By using the pseudo measurements in a linear observer, global stability can be shown. However, if the pseudo measurement observer, for which the analysis is mostly carried out by the authors, is used in a noisy environment as a pseudo measurement filter (PMF), biased estimates are arrived at. Hence, though the approach of authors is quite direct and provides insights about the algebraic structure of the BOT problem, as pseudo measurements are used throughout the analysis is not of much use to the TMA community, as the nonlinear measurement equation along with measurement noise are required to be considered in the BOT problem to obtain unbiased results     

Constant-speed target tracking via bearings-only measurements

The observability properties of the constant-speed target tracking problem via bearings-only measurements are investigated. It is shown that there exists a one-dimensional unobservable foliation which is computed. Explicit formulas are given to recover the observable part. It is shown that the direction of target trajectory is observable and that the whole state is observable if either the norm of the velocity or the distance is also known. A nonlinear observer which has a parallel structure and tolerates faults on distance measurements is presented. Finite-dimensional filters for the approximating models in the case of noisy measurements are given on the basis of output function polynomial approximations     

Discrete-time observability and estimability analysis for bearings-only target motion analysis

Observability in the context of bearings-only tracking (BOT) is still the subject of important literature. Different from previous approaches, where continuous-time analysis was considered, our approach relies on discrete-time analysis. It is then shown that this allows us to use directly and efficiently the simple formalisms of linear algebra. Using the direct approach, observability analysis is essentially reduced to basic considerations about subspace dimensions. Even if this approach is conceptually quite direct, it becomes more and more complex as the source-encounter scenario complexity increases. For complex scenarios, the dual approach may present some advantages essentially due to the direct use of multilinear algebra. New results about BOT observability for maneuvering sources are thus obtained. Observability analysis is then extended to unknown instants of source velocity changes. Even if observability analysis provides thorough insights about the algebraic structure of the BOT problem, the optimization of the observer maneuvers is essentially a control problem. Basic algebraic considerations prove that a relevant cost functional for this control problem is the determinant of the Fisher information matrix (FIM). So, a large part of this work is devoted to the analysis of this cost functional. Using multilinear algebra, general approximations of this functional are given. In order to involve only directly estimable parameters, the source bearing-rates are examined. Using these approximations, a general framework for optimizing the observer trajectory is derived which allow us to approximate the optimal sequence of controls. It is worth stressing that our approach does not require the knowledge of the source trajectory parameters and is still valid for a maneuvering source.     

Bearings-only tracking of maneuvering targets using abatch-recursive estimator

We present a new batch-recursive estimator for tracking maneuvering targets from bearings-only measurements in clutter (i.e., for low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) targets), Standard recursive estimators like the extended Kalman Iter (EKF) suffer from poor convergence and erratic behavior due to the lack of initial target range information, On the other hand, batch estimators cannot handle target maneuvers. In order to rectify these shortcomings, we combine the batch maximum likelihood-probabilistic data association (ML-PDA) estimator with the recursive interacting multiple model (IMM) estimator with probabilistic data association (PDA) to result in better track initialization as well as track maintenance results in the presence of clutter. It is also demonstrated how the batch-recursive estimator can be used for adaptive decisions for ownship maneuvers based on the target state estimation to enhance the target observability. The tracking algorithm is shown to be effective for targets with 8 dB SNR     

Passive tracking scheme for a single stationary observer

While there are many techniques for bearings-only tracking (BOT) in the ocean environment, they do not apply directly to the land situation. Generally, for tactical reasons, the land observer platform is stationary; but, it has two sensors, visible and infrared, for measuring bearings and a laser range finder (LRF) for measuring range. There is a requirement to develop a new BOT data fusion scheme that fuses the two sets of bearing readings, and together with a single LRF measurement, produces a unique track. This paper first develops a parameterized solution for the target speeds, and then heading, prior to the occurrence of the LRF measurement, when the track is unobservable. At, and after the LRF measurement, a BOT, formulated as a least squares (LS) estimator, then produces a unique LS estimate of the target states. Bearing readings from the other sensor serve as instrumental variables in a data fusion setting to eliminate the bias in the BOT estimator. The result is an unbiased and decentralized data fusion scheme. Results from two simulation experiments have corroborated the theoretical development and show also that the scheme is optimal.     

一种针对恒模信号的运动单站直接定位算法

相比于常规的"测向+位置估计"两步定位模式,以Weiss等提出的目标直接位置确定(DPD)算法具有估计精度高、分辨能力强和无需数据关联等诸多优点。基于该类定位算法的基本理念,提出了一种利用单个运动天线阵列对恒模(即相位调制)信号的DPD算法。首先,依据最大似然(ML)准则以及恒模信号的恒包络特征,建立了相应的直接定位优化模型;接着,根据优化函数的代数特征提出了一种有效的多参量交替迭代算法,用以获得ML估计器的最优数值解;此外,推导了针对恒模信源的位置直接估计方差的克拉美罗界(CRB),从而为新算法的定位精度提供定量的理论下界。仿真实验表明:相比于已有的基于单个运动天线阵列的直接定位算法以及传统的两步定位算法,通过利用恒模信号的恒包络特征可以明显提高目标直接定位的估计精度。     

基于倾斜角的多目标测向无源定位技术

对多目标测向无源定位问题进行了研究。虽然无源观测站不同,针对同一目标的方位角和俯仰角数据也不同,但它们有共同的倾斜角。基于此,提出了基于倾斜角的多目标测向无源定位算法。该算法分别计算一组与多个目标对应的倾斜角,然后利用倾斜角最接近原则对这2组数据进行关联判断,解决多目标测向数据的关联和定位问题,并通过仿真实验,对算法的有效性和可行性进行了验证。     

Convex optimization of asteroid landing trajectories driven by solar radiation pressure

High-area/mass ratio landers driven by Solar Radiation Pressure(SRP) have potential applications for future asteroid landing missions. This paper develops a new convex optimization-based method for planning trajectories driven by SRP. A Minimum Landing Error(MLE) control problem is formulated to enable planning SRP-controlled trajectories with different flight times. It is transformed into Second Order Cone Programming(SOCP) successfully by a series of different convexification technologies. A t...     

Kalman Filter Behavior in Bearings-Only Tracking Applications

The extended Kalman filter applied to bearings-only target tracking is theoretically analyzed. Closed-form expressions for the state vector and its associated covariance matrix are introduced, and subsequently used to demonstrate how bearing and range estimation errors can interact to cause filter instability (i.e., premature covariance collapse and divergence). Further investigation reveals that conventional initialization techniques often precipitate such anomalous behavior. These results have important practical implications and are not presently being exploited to full advantage. In particular, they suggest that substantial improvements in filter stability can be realized by employing alternative initialization and relinearization procedures. Some candidate methods are proposed and discussed.     

低轨卫星对高轨卫星仅测角初轨计算方法

针对我国地面测站对高轨卫星监视能力缺乏的问题,提出一种低轨卫星对高轨卫星仅测角初轨计算方法。该算法引入天基跟踪坐标系,消除测距信息影响,建立仅测角观测方程;引入法向运动,增加摄动因素影响,建立扩展拉普拉斯动力学模型;推导分析观测模型和动力学模型的关系方程,将初轨计算问题转换为非线性方程求解问题,利用高斯全主元消去法完成方程求解。通过实战和仿真测角数据对方法进行检验,结果表明,该方法能利用仅测角数据对非合作目标进行初轨确定,精度在公里量级,可为我国地基监视系统提供补充参考。     

Particle filters for tracking with out-of-sequence measurements

An extension is presented to the particle filtering toolbox that enables nonlinear/non-Gaussian filtering to be performed in the presence of out-of-sequence measurements (OOSMs) with arbitrary lag, without the need to adopt linearising approximations in the filter and without the degradation of performance that would occur if the OOSMs were simply discarded. An estimate of the performance of the OOSM particle filter (OOSM-PF) is obtained for bearings-only tracking scenarios with a single target and a small number of sensors. These performance estimates are then compared with the posterior Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) for the state estimate rms error and similar performance estimates obtained from the oosm extended Kalman filter (OOSM-EKF) algorithms recently introduced in the literature. For a mildly nonlinear bearings-only tracking problem the OOSM-PF and OOSM-EKF are shown to achieve broadly similar performance.