Analytical Techniques for Tracking Filter Implementation

Abstract : This study addresses these two fundamental shortcomings to currently employed tracking filters. First, a nonlinear analysis is presented. In this analysis, a tracking filter that incorporates aircraft orientation in both the system model and measurements is compared to a tracker that uses only standard radar measurements. The addition of the orientation information enhances the tracking filter performance because, in general, aircraft orientation is strongly correlated with the acceleration of the aircraft. Improved position estimation and prediction is demonstrated with the tracking filter that incorporates orientation information. The second fundamental cause of tracking filter errors (i.e. unknown system inputs) is investigated using linear analysis techniques. First, an analysis technique is developed using frequency and time domain methodologies for determining tracking filter gains for a system with unknown exogenous inputs. An analysis technique is also developed to determine the difference in tracking filter error covariance histories using variable structure models.