ELINT Radar Tracking Data Association via Dempster-Shafer Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems face challenges in unambiguously associating and fusing electronic intelligence (ELINT) and radar tracking data, particularly when ELINT tracks provide ambiguous bearing information without range or motion data, while radar systems offer range, bearing, and motion information but not object identity.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that process ELINT and radar track information using Dempster-Shafer analysis to determine the likelihood of association, applying coarse gates to assess position alignment within a threshold distance, and maintaining associations even when targets stop or slow, allowing for the creation of pseudo-tracks to maintain continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If ELINT track information is used to detect object emissions, then object identity information can be obtained, but the bearing information is ambiguous without range or motion data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ELINT track information with radar track information to create a fused tracking system. ELINT provides object identity while radar provides precise range, bearing, and motion data. The association module merges these complementary data sources to resolve the ambiguity in ELINT bearing information while maintaining object identity continuity.
2Measurement precision
If radar track information is used to obtain range, bearing and motion information, then precise position and velocity data can be obtained, but object identity information cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges radar track data (providing precise position and motion) with ELINT track data (providing object identity). The association module correlates radar detections with ELINT emitter identities, allowing the system to maintain both precise spatial-temporal tracking and object identification throughout the tracking process.
3Loss of information
If multiple ELINT tracks are developed for a single target, then complete emitter information can be captured, but track association ambiguity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an association module as an intermediary that uses radar track information as a mediator to resolve ambiguities between multiple ELINT tracks and a single target. The radar's precise spatial-temporal data serves as the reference framework to correctly associate multiple ELINT emitters with their corresponding physical target, reducing association complexity.
4Ease of operation
If traditional tracking systems process ELINT and radar data separately, then each system can operate independently, but accurate object identification and continuous tracking cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously separate ELINT and radar tracking systems into an integrated multi-sensor tracking system. The association module combines data from both independent systems, allowing them to operate independently while achieving accurate object identification and continuous tracking through data fusion. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational independence while achieving reliable identification.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for tracking an object receive electronic intelligence (ELINT) track information related to the object and radar track information. A first likelihood that the radar track information is also related to the object is determined at a first time of the ELINT track information and a first time of the radar track information. A second likelihood that the radar track information is also related to the object is determined at a second time of the ELINT track information and a second time of the radar track information. The first likelihood and the second likelihood are processed to determine whether the ELINT track information and the radar track information should be associated as both being related to the object.