The Goddard Range and Range Rate Tracking System: Concept,design and performance

This paper is concerned with the concept, evolution and performance analysis of a high-accuracy, near-earth and cislunar cooperative target tracking system, known as the Goddard Range and Range Rate System.This system combines the advantages of harmonic (or sidetone) and pseudo-random coded ranging signals in a highly effective and versatile manner, operable either as an all-harmonic system in near-earth orbital tracking or as a hybrid system for tracking more distant spacecraft. The system also combines the utilization of the two types of signals in a very attractive technique for speeding up the process of acquiring the ambiguity resolving code component in tracking spacecraft at cislunar and translunar distances.The theoretical analysis of system performance and errors is followed by a summary of performance data gathered to date by operating GRARR systems on a number of NASA missions.     

Application of successive interference cancellation to the GPS pseudolite near-far problem

Ground-based transmitters called pseudolites have been proposed to augment the basic Global Positioning System (GPS) in environments where satellite visibility is limited. One difficulty in their use is the so-called near-far problem, where in close proximity to the ground transmitter, the pseudolite signal can be orders of magnitude stronger than the satellite signals. This large range of signal levels prevents a conventional receiver from simultaneously detecting both types of signals. This paper describes the application of a signal processing technique, known as successive interference cancellation (SIC), to the acquisition and tracking of weak satellite signals in the presence of a nearby pseudolite and possible multipath reflections of this pseudolite signal. The SIC architecture is implemented on simulated and experimental near-far data sets. The results are compared with a conventional detector and improvements in acquisition and tracking performance are illustrated.     

Modified input estimation technique using pseudoresiduals

An adaptive tracking filter for maneuvering targets is proposed using modified input estimation technique. Pseudoresiduals are defined using measurements and the velocity estimate at the hypothesized maneuver onset time. With the pseudoresiduals and a new target model representing transitions of nominal accelerations, a new input estimation method for tracking a maneuvering target is derived. Since the proposed detection technique is more sensitive to maneuvers than previous work, the shorter window length can be employed to detect and compensate target maneuvers. Also shown is that the tracking performance of the proposed filter is similar to that of interacting multiple model method (IMM) with 3 models, while computational loads of our method are drastically reduced     

Gating Functions for Multipath Mitigation in GNSS BOC Signals

A new multipath mitigation technique is proposed for binary offset carrier (BOC) signals in global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) using the concept of gating function originally conceived for the GPS coarse-acquisition (C/A) code. Specially-tailored pulses are utilized to diminish the number of false-lock points of the code discriminator response and to improve the multipath mitigation capability. The code loop includes only four real correlators (two extra correlators are required for the simplified bump-jumping algorithm with BOC(n,n) signals). Results obtained with BOC(n,n) and BOC(2n,n) signals show that this technique eliminates the multipath ranging errors for reflected rays with relative delays typically above twenty percent of the spreading code chip duration, thus comparing favorably with the conventional receiver correlation techniques.     

Tracking in clutter with nearest neighbor filters: analysis andperformance

The measurement that is “closest” to the predicted target measurement is known as the “nearest neighbor” (NN) measurement in tracking. A common method currently in wide use for tracking in clutter is the so-called NN filter, which uses only the NN measurement as if it were the true one. The purpose of this work is two fold. First, the following theoretical results are derived: the a priori probabilities of all three data association events (updates with correct measurement, with incorrect measurement, and no update), the probability density functions (pdfs) of the NN measurement conditioned on the association events, and the one-step-ahead prediction of the matrix mean square error (MSE) conditioned on the association events. Secondly, a technique for prediction without recourse to expensive Monte Carlo simulations of the performance of tracking in clutter with the NN filter is presented. It can quantify the dynamic process of tracking divergence as well as the steady-state performance. The technique is a new development along the line of the recently developed general approach to the performance prediction of algorithm with both continuous and discrete uncertainties     

高斯非平稳机动目标波达角模型及跟踪

在实际的跟踪情况中,由于环境条件、目标反射截面等因素的变化,回波信号的功率会随时间变化,即不满足通常阵列信号处理中对高斯信号作平稳性的假设。针对复杂运动条件下高斯非平稳目标的跟踪问题,提出了一种新的机动目标波达角(DOA)模型。该模型全面地刻画了高斯非平稳机动目标的动态,并将目标的DOA和信号功率作为状态变量进行了联合考虑,同时运用虚拟阵列的表示方法构建了相应的观测方程。对于建立的新模型,最后采用无迹卡尔曼滤波(UKF)的框架完成了整个跟踪算法。分析和仿真结果表明,当高斯非平稳机动目标之间存在长时间相互接近的情况时,新方法仍然可以获得较好的跟踪性能。     

Multi-objective approach in GNSS code discriminator design

In spread spectrum ranging system receivers such as the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers, a discriminator is used in the code tracking loop to provide an error signal for the tracking of incoming signals. Typically, the discriminator manipulates several correlator outputs to form the correction signal. A multi-objective approach is adopted here to design the coefficients associated with a multi-correlator-based discriminator to lead to a better performance tradeoff in large tracking range, acceptable multipath-induced bias, high sensitivity, free of ambiguity, and small variance. It is shown that the multiple-objective problem can be tackled via a quadratic/linear programming method, rendering the optimal coefficient vector for the implementation of the discriminator. In addition, as the discriminator design is often subject to conflicting requirements, it is shown that the proposed design approach is capable of establishing bounds on achievable performance. Examples with respect to BPSK (binary phase-shift keying) NRZ (nonreturn-to-zero), and BOC (binary-offset carrier) signals are given to illustrate the design approach.     

Beam tracking method based on reconfigurable intelligent surface for obstructed communication

This paper proposes a new reconfigurable intelligent surface based three-dimensional beam tracking method to solve the beam tracking problems for the unmanned aerial vehicle with obstacles in communication channels. The proposed beam tracking method can not only regulate the reconfigurable intelligent surfaces to achieve the beam tracking of the obstructed communications, but also optimize the transmission efficiency of the communication. Firstly, a reconfigurable intelligent surface is proposed, which can correlate the transmission signals by adjusting the phase-shift matrix. Meanwhile, a new communication channel is constructed according to the reconfigurable intelligent surface, which consists of two parts. The first one is the channel between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the reconfigurable intelligent surface, the other is the channel between the reconfigurable intelligent surface and the ground base station. Note that the transmission performance of the communications can be optimized by adjusting the phase shift of each uniform linear array on the reconfigurable intelligent surface. Then, a new beam tracking method for the unmanned aerial vehicle with obstructed communications is proposed on the basis of the reconfigurable intelligent surface. By proposing the mixed genetic algorithm, the estimation accuracy of the azimuth and elevation angles is improved to enhance the performance of the beam tracking. Finally, the simulations are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed three-dimensional beam tracking method with reconfigurable intelligent surface.     

Detection threshold selection for tracking performance optimization

A technique for the evaluation of the track loss probability and the estimation error during track maintenance in clutter has been developed recently by the authors. This work overcomes the limitation of an earlier technique that does not handle the transient process of tracking divergence. Track loss, being a “runaway” phenomenon, clearly requires transient evaluation capability. The new technique provides, without the need for expensive Monte Carlo simulations, the probability that a hack is maintained in the presence of all sources of uncertainty encountered In a tracking process. This technique is of a hybrid nature; it involves explicit probabilistic accounting of both the continuous and the discrete uncertainties. Here it is demonstrated how this technique can be used for the selection of the detection threshold to optimize the overall performance of a detection-trading system     

机载雷达中的单脉冲技术

 本文总结机载雷达中单脉冲技术的研究和应用,着重讨论幅度比较系统的关键技术,给出有关数据。 机载雷达中的单脉冲技术着眼于抗干扰性能和特殊应用。这些应用包括空对地测距、角分辨力改进、地形防撞。本文阐述了这些特殊应用。     

Tracking considerations in selection of radar waveform for rangeand range-rate measurements

The conventional approach for tracking system design is to treat the detection and tracking subsystems as completely independent units. However, the two subsystems can be designed jointly to improve system (tracking) performance. It is known that different radar signal waveforms result in very different resolution cell shapes (for example, a rectangle versus an eccentric parallelogram) in the range/range-rate space, and that there are corresponding differences in overall tracking performance. We develop a framework for the analysis of this performance. An imperfect detection process, false alarms, target dynamics, and the matched filter sampling grid are all accounted for, using the Markov chain approach of Li and Bar-Shalom. The role of the grid is stressed, and it is seen that the measurement-extraction process from contiguous radar "hits" is very important. A number of conclusions are given, perhaps the most interesting of which is the corroboration in the new measurement space of Fitzgerald's result for delay-only (i.e., range) measurements, that a linear FM upsweep offers very good tracking performance     

可重复使用飞行器的保性能姿态跟踪控制方法

针对可重复使用飞行器再入姿态跟踪控制问题,在考虑执行器饱和、气动参数摄动和外部扰动的情况下,提出了一种保性能姿态跟踪控制方案。通过构造预设性能函数,使姿态跟踪误差在预先设置的包络内演化,保证了系统的瞬态和稳态性能;其次,借助于高增益扩张状态观测器解决了气动参数摄动和外部扰动的问题;之后,基于反步控制框架,设计了一种低复杂度的输出反馈扰动补偿控制方法,保证跟踪误差的收敛性。与已有方法相比,所设计的方法不包含一些复杂的非线性动力学近似技术,如神经网络等,降低了参数调节的复杂性,且无需对虚拟控制律重复微分,避免了"微分爆炸"问题。同时,Lyapunov稳定性分析表明,该方法能够保证误差变量的预期收敛以及其他闭环系统信号的有界性。最后,通过对比仿真验证了所提方法的有效性及可行性。     

Track segment association, fine-step IMM and initialization with Doppler for improved track performance

In this work we present a new track segment association technique to improve track continuity in large-scale target tracking problems where track breakages are common. A representative airborne early warning (AEW) system scenario, which is a challenging environment due to highly maneuvering targets, close target formations, large measurement errors, long sampling intervals, and low detection probabilities, provides the motivation for the new technique. Previously, a tracker using the interacting multiple model (IMM) estimator combined with an assignment algorithm was shown to be more reliable than a conventional Kalman filter based approach in tracking similar targets but it still yielded track breakages due to the difficult environment. In order to combine the broken track segments and improve track continuity, a new track segment association algorithm using a discrete optimization approach is presented. Simulation results show that track segment association yields significant improvements in mean track life as well as in position, speed, and course rms errors. Also presented is a modified one-point initialization technique with range rate measurements, which are typically ignored by other initialization techniques, and a fine-step IMM estimator, which improves performance in the presence of long revisit intervals. Another aspect that is investigated is the benefit of "deep" (multiframe or N-dimensional, with N > 2) association, which is shown to yield significant benefit in reducing the number of false tracks.     

Precise orbit determination for TH02-02 satellites based on BDS3 and GPS observations

The Tianhui-2 02 (TH02-02) satellite formation, as a supplement to the microwave mapping satellite system Tianhui-2 01 (TH02-01), is the first Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) satellite formation-flying system that supports the tracking of BeiDou global navigation Satellite system (BDS3) new B1C and B2a signals. Meanwhile, the twin TH02-02 satellites also support the tracking of Global Positioning System (GPS) L1&L2 and BDS B1I&B3I signals. As the spaceborne receiver employs two independent boards to track the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites, we design an orbit determination strategy by estimating independent receiver clock offsets epoch by epoch for each GNSS to realize the multi-GNSS data fusion from different boards. The performance of the spaceborne receiver is evaluated and the contribution of BDS3 to the kinematic and reduced-dynamic Precise Orbit Determination (POD) of TH02-02 satellites is investigated. The tracking data onboard shows that the average number of available BDS3 and GPS satellites are 8.7 and 9.1, respectively. The carrier-to-noise ratio and carrier phase noise of BDS3 B1C and B2a signals are comparable to those of GPS. However, strong azimuth-related systematic biases are recognized in the pseudorange multipath errors of B1C and B3I. The pseudorange noise of BDS3 signals is better than that of GPS after eliminating the multipath errors from specific signals. Taking the GPS-based reduced-dynamic orbit with single-receiver ambiguity fixing technique as a reference, the results of BDS3-only and BDS3 + GPS combined POD are assessed. The Root Mean Square (RMS) of orbit comparison of BDS3-based kinematic and reduced-dynamic POD with reference orbit are better than 7 cm and 3 cm in three-Dimensional direction (3D). The POD performance based on B1C&B2a data is comparable to that based on B1I&B3I. The precision of BDS3 + GPS combined kinematic orbit can reach up to 3 cm (3D RMS), which has a more than 25% improvement relative to the GPS-only solution. In addition, the consistency between the BDS3 + GPS combined reduced-dynamic orbit and the GPS-based ambiguity-fixed orbit is better than 1.5 cm (3D RMS).     

基于UKF准开环结构的高动态载波跟踪环路

 对高动态环境下的全球卫星导航系统（GNSS）载波信号跟踪方法进行了研究。在分析高动态载波信号模型的基础上,提出了一种基于无迹卡尔曼滤波（UKF）的准开环载波跟踪方法。此方法能够消除导航数据二进制相移键控(BPSK)调制的影响,并采用四维UKF相位估计模型提高跟踪精度,同时对估计值进行补偿以减少滤波器的滞后性。通过模拟接收机的高动态运动轨迹,从跟踪误差、跟踪结果和补偿效果3个方面,与基于卡尔曼滤波（KF）的锁频环(FLL)辅助锁相环(PLL)结构的传统跟踪方法进行比较,结果表明基于UKF的准开环跟踪方法能够有效地完成高动态环境下的载波跟踪。     

Rate-aided multisignal time delay detection and tracking

Time delay detection and tracking problems have been investigated in previous papers. The approach used is applicable to many problems. In those papers, a first-order Markov process was assumed for the signal parameter (time delay) dynamic model and a constant signal parameter value was assumed within a “block”, or processing unit of time. A performance degradation is incurred when the signal parameter value is “nearly constant-rate”. Also, “crossing” signal parameter values from different signals cannot be tracked. The detector-trackers will “switch” signals. To combat these difficulties, the signal parameter dynamic model is assumed to be a second-order Markov process, and signal parameter rate of change information is computed within a block. A rate-aided multisignal detection and tracking system is developed with these assumptions     

Peformance of dynamic programming techniques forTrack-Before-Detect

“Track-Before-Detect” (TBD) is a target tracking technique where no threshold is applied at each measurement frame. Instead, data are processed over a number of frames before decisions on target existence are made. The track is returned simultaneously with the detection. A simple algorithm is presented and demonstrated via simulations. A detailed analysis enables detection and tracking performance to be predicted for particular algorithm parameters. Good performance is observed at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), with rapid degradation as SNR is reduced further. For some cases the detection performance does not improve regardless of how many frames of data are processed. Tracking performance may also be poor even though detection performance is good     

Directed Subspace Search ML-PDA with Application to Active Sonar Tracking

The maximum likelihood probabilistic data association (ML-PDA) tracking algorithm is effective in tracking Very Low Observable targets (i.e., very low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) targets in a high false alarm environment). However, the computational complexity associated with obtaining the track estimate in many cases has precluded its use in real-time scenarios. Previous ML-PDA implementations used a multi-pass grid (MPG) search to find the track estimate. Two alternate methods for finding the track estimate are presented-a genetic search and a newly developed directed subspace (DSS) search algorithm. Each algorithm is tested using active sonar scenarios in which an autonomous underwater vehicle searches for and tracks a target. Within each scenario, the problem parameters are varied to illustrate the relative performance of each search technique. Both the DSS search and the genetic algorithm are shown to be an order of magnitude more computationally efficient than the MPG search, making possible real-time implementation. In addition, the DSS search is shown to be the most effective technique at tracking a target at the lowest SNR levels-reliable tracking down to 5 dB (postprocessing SNR in a resolution cell) using a 5-frame sliding window is demonstrated, this being 6 dB better than the MPG search.     

Streamlining measurement iteration for EKF target tracking

The estimation problem is defined, and a review of how the linear estimation approach of Kalman filtering is extrapolated to form an extended Kalman filter (EKF), applicable for state estimation in nonlinear systems is presented. A mechanization of an EKF variation known as an iterated EKF, offering improved tracking performance, is treated. A streamlined version of an iterated EKF that has a lesser computational burden (fewer operations per cycle or time step) than prior formulations is offered. A nonlinear filtering application example, to be used as a testbed for this new approach, is described, and the detailed modeling considerations as needed for exoatmospheric random-variable radar target tracking are discussed. The performance of the streamlined mechanization is illustrated in this radar target tracking example, and comparisons are made with the performance of an EKF without measurement iteration     

Acceleration tracking control for a spinning glide guided projectile with multiple disturbances

A novel acceleration tracking controller is proposed in this paper, for a Spinning Glide Guided Projectile (SGGP) subject to cross-coupling dynamics, external disturbances, and parametric uncertainties. The cross-coupled dynamics for the SGGP are formulated with mismatched and matched uncertainties, and then divided into acceleration and angular rate subsystems via the hierarchical principle. By exploiting the structural property of the SGGP, model-assisted Extended State Observers (ESOs) are designed to estimate online the lumped disturbances in the acceleration and angular rate dynamics. To achieve a rapid response and a strong robustness, integral sliding mode control laws and sigmoid-function-based tracking differentiators are integrated into the ESO-based Trajectory Linearization Control (TLC) framework. It is proven that the acceleration tracking controller can guarantee the ultimate boundedness of the signals in the closed-loop system and make the tracking errors arbitrarily small. The superiority and effectiveness of the proposed control scheme in its decoupling ability, accurate acceleration tracking performance and anti-disturbance capability are validated through comparisons and extensive simulations.