Robust altitude estimation for over-the-horizon radar using a state-space multipath fading model
In previous work, a matched-field estimate of aircraft altitude from multiple over-the-horizon (OTH) radar dwells was presented. This approach exploits the altitude dependence of direct and surface reflected returns off the aircraft and the relative phase changes of these micro-multipath arrivals across radar dwells. Since this previous approach assumed high dwell-to-dwell predictability, it has been found to be sensitive to mismatch between modeled versus observed micro-multipath phase and amplitude changes from dwell-to-dwell. A generalized matched-field altitude estimate is presented here based on a state-space model that accounts for random ionospheric and target-motion effects that degrade the dwell-to-dwell predictability of target returns. The new formulation results in an efficient, robust recursive maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of aircraft altitude. Simulations suggest that the proposed technique can achieve accuracy within 5,000 ft of the true aircraft altitude, even with relatively high levels of uncertainty in modeling of dwell-to-dwell changes in the target return. A real data result is also presented to illustrate the technique.
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Related Subject Headings
- Aerospace & Aeronautics
- 4009 Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
- 4006 Communications engineering
- 4001 Aerospace engineering
- 0909 Geomatic Engineering
- 0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- 0901 Aerospace Engineering
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Aerospace & Aeronautics
- 4009 Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
- 4006 Communications engineering
- 4001 Aerospace engineering
- 0909 Geomatic Engineering
- 0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- 0901 Aerospace Engineering