KUPS: Knowledge-Based Ubiquitous and Persistent Sensor Networks for Threat Assessment

We propose a knowledge-based ubiquitous and persistent sensor network (KUPS) for threat assessment, in which "sensor" is a broad characterization. It refers to diverse data or information from ubiquitous and persistent sensor sources such as organic sensors and human intelligence sensors. Our KUPS for threat assessment consists of two major steps: situation awareness using fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) and threat parameter estimation using radar sensor networks (RSNs). Our FLSs combine the linguistic knowledge from different intelligent sensors, and our proposed maximum-likelihood (ML) estimation algorithm performs target radar cross section (RCS) parameter estimation. We also show that our ML estimator is unbiased and the variance of parameter estimation matches the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) if the radar pulses follow the Swerling II model. Simulations further validate our theoretical results.     

Remote data sensing using SAR and harmonic reradiators

In sensor networks distributed over large areas, communication by means of active transmitters on sensor nodes is inherently energy expensive and poses a significant bottleneck to achieve a long battery life. We propose modulated reradiation of radar illumination as a means to transmit information from a group of sensors to an airborne radar. This puts the communications energy burden on the radar transmitter rather than on the sensor nodes, thus increasing their battery lifetimes. To distinguish the sensor return from the clutter return, the modulation on the sensors is done by switching a nonlinear load on the sensor antenna and processing the harmonic reradiation. We present techniques to transmit information from the sensors, which use stripmap mode synthetic aperture radar (SAR) ideas to decode the information and to simultaneously obtain a geographic map of the sensor locations.     

Data fusion for ground moving target tracking

The aim of ground surveillance is the large scale, continuous and near real time determination of a dynamical ground picture. This task comprises detection and tracking of moving single targets and convoys, mobile weapon systems, and military equipment. The sensors of choice are airborne Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) radar and synthetic aperture radar (SAR). As ground target tracking often suffers from dense target situations, high clutter, and low visibility, the integration and fusion of external background information is essential for providing precise and continuous tracks. We present Multi Hypotheses techniques for tracking several targets in complex ground situations with clutter. Methods to incorporate topographic information, in particular digital road maps, are described and demonstrated.     

Synchronization improvements using traceability in spread spectrumsignal design

Synchronization improvements using traceability information found in the narrowband auto-ambiguity function (NB AAF) are demonstrated. This new auto-ambiguity function property, traceability, is the key to defining a signal design approach for solving the synchronization problems in spread spectrum system such as communication systems, radar networks, and sonar systems. This work defines the property and introduces a new tracing synchronization scheme that significantly reduces initial synchronization time and the number of false synchronization events     

Surveillance system based on data fusion from image and acousticarray sensors

The present publication shows a model of a monitoring system of high benefit, based on two complementary sensorial systems (image+acoustics), which allows the information received to fuse, and to prioritize the computational resources toward the zones with considerable risk. The application uses components such as: active acoustic radar based on a phase array of microphones, with techniques of beamforming, and multibeam detection schemes; efficient compression algorithms and video transmission in real time. The system is composed of an arbitrary number of sensors (monitoring probes), distributed by the monitoring space, a data network and a central server (monitoring manager). The sensors consist of a microprocessor, with its memory and three main modules: (1) acoustic radar; (2) video capture card; and (3) network card. The flexibility of the system allows new modules to be added such as: personal detector card; sound card; cards for telecontrol; etc. The sensor microprocessor preprocesses the information received by the modules, packs and transmits it to the central server through a data network. The system uses IP protocol, and SNMPv2 for management     

Radar sensor using low probability of interception SS-FH signals

One of the best known weakness of radar sensors in defense and security applications is the necessity to radiate a signal, which can be detected by the target, so being possible (easy in fact) that the target is alerted about the presence of a radar before the radar is alerted about the presence of a target. In this context, Low Probability of Interception (LPI) Radars try to use signals that are difficult to intercept and/or identify. Spread spectrum signals are strong candidates for this application, and systems using special frequency or polyphase modulation schemes are being exploited. Frequency hopping, however, has not received much attention. The typical LPI radar at this moment of the technology is a CW-LFM radar. The simplicity of the technology is its best point. Polyphase codes, on the other hand have the inherent advantage of high instantaneous bandwidth regardless of observation time. But the complexity of the hardware is also higher. FH signals have traditionally been considered of lower performance but higher complexity, due to the difficulties to compensate the individual dopplers for the individual range cells in the receiver. One important point is that an FH radar must be clearly distinguished from an agile frequency radar. In the latter, a pulsed signal is transmitted using different frequencies from pulse to pulse. In an FH radar the frequency changes must be during the pulse. In fact, in an LPI FH radar, a CW frequency hopped signal is used. A radar system concept is proposed in which it shows how these problems can be overcome in a tracking application. Also, the signal format is analyzed under the scope of future decade digital interceptors, showing that, in fact, this kind of signal exhibits improvement in some performances and requires a hardware that is only slightly more complex than that needed for CW-LFM systems     

Reacting to new air defence threats: a netcentric approach to the Hungarian air defence system augmented by VHF radars

Different types of distributed radar systems and data fusion centers are increasingly used by surface-based air defense systems. Besides the well-established airborne threats, new platforms for air surveillance and attacking devices have appeared and recognized air picture (RAP) production needs to be revised and modified following the events of September 11, 2001. From a military operational and logistic support point of view, it is well-known that not only the long range radars currently in operation, but also the recently procured radars, degrade in performance rapidly and their maintenance costs are high. Using the possibilities offered by emerging technical developments, the problem is to upgrade sensors and existing infrastructure in a way that exploits the information gathered optimally. It is the opinion of this author that one of the most promising approaches to emphasis net-centricity is the use of radar-triangle netcentric structures augmented by netted VHF radars to solve these tasks in a cost-effective manner. This work introduces an analysis of a solution that fully integrates newly required capabilities into the current long range radar net and infrastructure, keeping research and development (R&D) and maintenance at a low cost.     

Distributed weather radar using X-band active arrays

Dense networks of short-range radars capable of mapping storms and detecting atmospheric and airborne hazards are described. Comprised of physically small, low-power antennas, these networks defeat the Earth curvature blockage that limits today's long-range radar networks and enable high resolution views that extend from the lower-troposphere to the tops of storms. The networks are comprised of 1-meter antennas that transmit 10's of W peak power and are capable of high-speed electronic beam-steering. A system architecture is described that maximizes the value accrued to users of radar data through utility functions that specify dynamic, optimal allocation of resources in response to the needs of multiple end-users and associated information retrieval algorithms.     

Space-time registration of radar and ESM using unscented Kalman filter

Space and time alignments are the prerequisites for the successful fusion of multiple sensors. A space-time registration model is proposed to estimate the system biases and to perform time synchronization together for mobile radar and electronic support measure (ESM) systems. A space-time registration model for radar and ESM is first developed, and an unscented Kalman filter (UKF) is proposed to estimate the space-time biases and target states simultaneously. The posterior Cramer-Rao bounds (PCRBs) are derived for the proposed UKF registration algorithm for ESM detection probability less than or equal to one. Theoretical analyses are performed to evaluate the accuracy and robustness of the proposed method. Computer simulations show that the UKF registration algorithm is indeed effective and robust for different radar and ESM tracking scenarios.     

Update with out-of-sequence measurements in tracking: exact solution

In target tracking systems measurements are typically collected in "scans" or "frames" and then they are transmitted to a processing center. In multisensor tracking systems that operate in a centralized manner, there are usually different time delays in transmitting the scans or frames from the various sensors to the center. This can lead to situations where measurements from the same target arrive out of sequence. Such "out-of-sequence" measurement (OOSM) arrivals can occur even in the absence of scan/frame communication time delays. The resulting "negative-time measurement update" problem, which is quite common in real multisensor systems, was solved previously only approximately in the literature. The exact state update equation for such a problem is presented. The optimal and two suboptimal algorithms are compared on a number of realistic examples, including a GMTI (ground moving target indicator) radar case.     

Ten questions on UWB [ultra wide band radar]

Most radars now in use are narrow band systems with frequency bands much less than the carrier frequency. The theory and practice of current radar systems are based of this specific feature. But as is known, it is the frequency band that determines the information content of radar systems, as the volume of information transmitted per time unit is directly proportional to the frequency band. To raise the information capability of a radar system, the widening of its frequency band is needed. The only alternative approach is an increase in information transmission time. The actuality of this problem has determined rapid development in the last years of technologies using ultra wide band (UWB) signals. This paper describes the principles and features of UWB radar.     

雷达和红外成像双传感器信息融合目标识别研究

提出了一种利用目标的雷达和红外成像２种独立的传感器信息的互补性来构造特征向量的信息融合方法——联合向量空间法,并用对应的自适应信息融合系统进行目标识别。仿真证实比用单传感器的效果明显优越,从而说明了本文方法的有效性。     

Equal allocation scheduling for data intensive applications

A new analytical model for equal allocation of divisible computation and communication load is developed. Equal allocation of load is attractive in multiple processor systems when real time information on processor and link capacity that is necessary for optimal scheduling is not available. The model includes a detailed accounting of solution reporting time. Equal allocation scheduling is compared with sequential scheduling and a new type of multi-installment scheduling. Aerospace applications include the processing of satellite imagery, radar, and sensor networks.     

一种适用于现代飞机火控系统的空-空导弹发射火控计算数学模型

给出的火控计算模型由两部分构成：首先利用机载雷达和其它传感器提供的信息,求解目标速度Vt和进入角Q,然后采用表格函数线性插值与解析修正相结合的方法,来求解导弹发射的最大、最小允许距离。最后给出了仿真结果。该数学模型已经用于某现役歼击机改装的雷达火控系统。     

Ultra-wideband technology and random signal radar: an ideal combination

Ultra-wideband radar and random signal radar are two types of newly-developed radar systems. This paper introduces the special advantages of the combination of ultra-wideband technology and random signal radar to the international radar community. It shows that these two radar systems have a very close relationship in nature and can gain significant benefits from each other. It can be anticipated that the random signal modulated waveform will open many potential possibilities for the applications of ultra-wideband radar systems to civilian operating environments.     

A hardware signal processing platform for sensor systems

A field programmable gate array-based computing platform for high-speed sensors such as short-range radars is presented. The circuit performs necessary A/D conversions, raw data stream compression and target detection, and constructs a message structure suitable for external displays. In the prototype, USB is the connecting path to a laptop computer. An elementary pulse radar is utilized as an application example. An application interest would be in collision avoidance systems. Observed data transfer rates with real radar input signals were 36 Mbytes/s when typical target detection algorithms were applied.     

Review of Airport Surface Movement Radar Technology

Runway incursion is defined by the FAA as "any occurrence at an airport involving an aircraft, vehicle, person or object on the ground that creates collision hazard or results in a loss of separation with an aircraft taking off, intending to take off, landing or intending to land." A summary of how severe this problem is can be found in a 2001 hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation. Surface movement radar (SMR) technology has evolved over the years as part of an effort to mitigate runway incursion risks and enhance airport capacity. Surface movement surveillance systems of various types have been installed in major airports as early as the 1960s, and have kept evolving. The most recent system currently being deployed in the US by the FAA is the airport surface movement detection equipment model X (ASDE-X) system. In this system, unlike previous systems, the surface movement radar is just one of several sensors that are used in addition to transponder multilateration and GPS-based position reports, referred to as automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast or ADS-B; however, the SMR is a key subsystem. This paper contains an overview of the state-of-the-art SMR technology and provides an introduction on the use of radar technology for this commercial application. It focuses on the architecture, characteristics and technology of the radar sensor, the characteristics of the clutter and how it affects the performance, effects of multipath, automatic detection and comparison of several sensor architectures. Sensis Corporation has recently completed the testing of a new, improved SMR, which is now part of ASDE-X system. This paper summarizes the main features of this radar     

Sensor systems signal processing platform

A field programmable gate array-based computing platform for high-speed sensors such as short-range radars is presented. The circuit performs necessary A/D conversions, raw data stream compression and target detection, and constructs a message structure suitable for external displays. In the prototype, USB is the connecting path to a laptop computer. An elementary pulse radar is utilized as an application example. An application interest would be in collision avoidance systems. Observed data transfer rates with real radar input signals were 36 Mbytes/s when typical target detection algorithms were applied.     

Navigation by Back Triangulation

The development of electronic surveillance systems that can accurately measure the direction of arrival of signals from ground radar stations has opened the possibility of using statistical techniques to determine navigation information for the measuring vehicle. The method of combining "bearing" observations from several radar sites for navigational purposes, referred to as "back triangulation", will be discussed and demonstrated by simulation.     

Data fusion of multiradar system by using genetic algorithm

Detection system with distributed sensors and data fusion. are increasingly being used by surveillance systems. There has been a great deal of theoretical study on decentralized detection networks composed of identical or non-identical sensors. To solve the resulting nonlinear system, exhaustive search and some crude approximations are adopted. However, those methods often cause either the system to be insensitive to some parameters or the suboptimal results. In this paper, a novel flexible genetic algorithm is investigated to obtain the optimal results on constant false alarm rate data fusion. Using this approach, all system parameters are directly coded in decimal chromosomes and they can be optimized simultaneously. The simulation results show that adopting the proposed approach, one can achieve better performances than the reported methods and results