A relative navigation system for formation flight

A relative navigation system based on both the Inertial Navigation System (INS) and the Global Positioning System (GPS) is developed to support situational awareness during formation flight. The architecture of the system requires an INS/GPS integration across two aircraft via a data link. A fault-tolerant federated filter is used to estimate the relative INS errors based on relative GPS measurements and a range measurement obtained from the data link. The filter is constructed based on a reduced-order model of the relative INS error process. A method for analyzing the filter performance is presented. A case involving two helicopters in formation flight is studied under three different night trajectories to account for the effect of vehicle motion on the INS state transition matrix. The results of the covariance analysis are compared with actual night results over an instrumented test range.     

Optimal number of phased array faces and signal processors for horizon surveillance

The problem of the optimal number of phased array faces for performing 360/spl deg/ horizon surveillance is considered. Assuming the detection performance is the same in all beam positions and the total number of T/R modules is constant, it is shown that the optimal number of array faces is three. This is true whether the arrays are operating simultaneously or sequentially. A parametric analysis is performed between the number of array faces operating simultaneously and the associated cost of simultaneous operation in terms of the size of the array.     

Distributed decision fusion using empirical estimation

The problem of optimal data fusion in multiple detection systems is studied in the case where training examples are available, but no a priori information is available about the probability distributions of errors committed by the individual detectors. Earlier solutions to this problem require some knowledge of the error distributions of the detectors, for example, either in a parametric form or in a closed analytical form. Here we show that, given a sufficiently large training sample, an optimal fusion rule can be implemented with an arbitrary level of confidence. We first consider the classical cases of Bayesian rule and Neyman-Pearson test for a system of independent detectors. Then we show a general result that any test function with a suitable Lipschitz property can be implemented with arbitrary precision, based on a training sample whose size is a function of the Lipschitz constant, number of parameters, and empirical measures. The general case subsumes the cases of nonindependent and correlated detectors.     

Finite-dimensional filters with nonlinear drift. III: Duncan-Mortensen-Zakai equation with arbitrary initial condition for the linear filtering system and the Benes filtering system

We consider the Duncan-Mortensen-Zakai (DMZ) equation for the Kalman-Bucy filtering system and Benes filtering system. We show that this equation can be solved explicitly with an arbitrary initial condition by solving a system of ordinary differential equations and a Kolmogorov-type equation, Let n be the dimension of state space. We show that we need only n sufficient statistics in order to solve the DMZ equation.     

Finite-dimensional filters with nonlinear drift. V: solution to Kolmogorov equation arising from linear filtering with non-Gaussian initial condition

Despite its usefulness, the Kalman-Bucy filter is not perfect. One of its weaknesses is that it needs a Gaussian assumption on the initial data. Recently Yau and Yau introduced a new direct method to solve the estimation problem for linear filtering with non-Gaussian initial data. They factored the problem into two parts: (1) the on-line solution of a finite system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), and (2) the off-line calculation of the Kolmogorov equation. Here we derive an explicit closed-form solution of the Kolmogorov equation. We also give some properties and conduct a numerical study of the solution.     

A novel resonant converter topology for DC-to-DC power supply

A class-E DC-to-DC converter with half-wave controlled current rectifier is proposed. Its output voltage is controlled by the conduction angle of the rectifier switch at constant switching frequency. Zero voltage switching for all the switches can be maintained from full load to no load. Its steady state characteristics are analyzed and the effects of the circuit parameters are studied. Some extensions of the proposed converter are also discussed. The analysis is verified by PSPICE simulation and an experimental prototype     

Dynamic dissipative compensators for multibody flexible spacestructures

The stability characteristics of dynamic dissipative compensators are investigated for multibody flexible space structures having nonlinear dynamics. The problem addressed is that of proving asymptotic stability of dynamic dissipative compensators. The stability proof uses the Lyapunov approach and exploits the inherent passivity of such systems. For such systems these compensators are shown to be robust to parametric uncertainties and unmodeled dynamics. The results are applicable to a large class of structures such as satellites with multiple payloads and space-based manipulators     

COUNTERFOIL: a new high security optical surface technology

This paper presents a new optical surface technology known as COUNTERFOIL. The COUNTERFOIL technology provides a means of covert information storage and is used as the basis for a range of security seals and labels. The technology has obtained Australian Government Endorsement (SCEC Endorsement) for use in high security applications. It provides a convenient, low cost means to determine authenticity and detect tampering or surreptitious access     

Analysis of solar degradation to TDRS S-band phased array antenna

A study of the distribution of gain-to-noise-temperature (G/T) values for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) satellite is described. The statistics of the G/T values are determined by a Monte Carlo simulation of the orbital geometry of the Sun and Moon, and the gain and noise temperature calculations is included. The results and their underlying assumptions are described