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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Gaussian Mixture Reduction For Bayesian Target Tracking In Clutter, David J. Petrucci Dec 2005

Gaussian Mixture Reduction For Bayesian Target Tracking In Clutter, David J. Petrucci

Theses and Dissertations

The Bayesian solution for tracking a target in clutter results naturally in a target state Gaussian mixture probability density function (pdf) which is a sum of weighted Gaussian pdf's, or mixture components. As new tracking measurements are received, the number of mixture components increases without bound, and eventually a reduced-component approximation of the original Gaussian mixture pdf is necessary to evaluate the target state pdf efficiently while maintaining good tracking performance. Many approximation methods exist, but these methods are either ad hoc or use rather crude approximation techniques. Recent studies have shown that a measure-function-based mixture reduction algorithm (MRA) may …


The Navigation Potential Of Signals Of Opportunity-Based Time Difference Of Arrival Measurements, Kenneth A. Fisher Jun 2005

The Navigation Potential Of Signals Of Opportunity-Based Time Difference Of Arrival Measurements, Kenneth A. Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

This research introduces the concept of navigation potential, NP, to quantify the intrinsic ability to navigate using a given signal. NP theory is a new, information theory-like concept that provides a theoretical performance limit on estimating navigation parameters from a received signal that is modeled through a stochastic mapping of the transmitted signal and measurement noise. NP theory is applied to SOP-based TDOA systems in general as well as for the Gaussian case. Furthermore, the NP is found for a received signal consisting of the transmitted signal, multiple delayed and attenuated replicas of the transmitted signal, and measurement noise. Multipath-based …


Wide-Angle Multistatic Synthetic Aperture Radar: Focused Image Formation And Aliasing Artifact Mitigation, Jonathan E. Luminati Jun 2005

Wide-Angle Multistatic Synthetic Aperture Radar: Focused Image Formation And Aliasing Artifact Mitigation, Jonathan E. Luminati

Theses and Dissertations

Traditional monostatic Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) platforms force the user to choose between two image types: larger, low resolution images or smaller, high resolution images. Switching to a Wide-Angle Multistatic Synthetic Aperture Radar (WAM-SAR) approach allows formation of large high-resolution images. Unfortunately, WAM-SAR suffers from two significant implementation problems. First, wavefront curvature effects, non-linear flight paths, and warped ground planes lead to image defocusing with traditional SAR processing methods. A new 3-D monostatic/bistatic image formation routine solves the defocusing problem, correcting for all relevant wide-angle effects. Inverse SAR (ISAR) imagery from a Radar Cross Section (RCS) chamber validates this approach. …


Deconvolution Analysis Of Laser Pulse Profiles From 3-D Ladar Temporal Returns, Michael D. Walter Mar 2005

Deconvolution Analysis Of Laser Pulse Profiles From 3-D Ladar Temporal Returns, Michael D. Walter

Theses and Dissertations

Three-dimensional laser imaging systems offer important advantages for battlefield applications, such as night-time targeting and tactical reconnaissance. Recently developed technologies used by coherent detection systems that collect temporally resolved images include arrays of Avalanche Photo-Diodes (APD), Geiger mode APDs, and photo-diodes. Frequently, LADAR systems produce waveforms from each detector that characterize the convolution of the transmitted laser pulse with the target surface. The pulse convolution generates uncertainty as to the precise location of a target surface, which can severely impact various weapon systems' targeting capability. This work analyzes two deconvolution techniques: Wiener filtering and an iterative process derived from the …


Using Liquid Crystal Spatial Light Modulators For Closed Loop Tracking And Beam Steering With Phase Holography, Michael J. Perry Mar 2005

Using Liquid Crystal Spatial Light Modulators For Closed Loop Tracking And Beam Steering With Phase Holography, Michael J. Perry

Theses and Dissertations

Optical Phased Array (OPA) technology offers advantages in the reduction of size, weight, and power of optical steering devices. Nematic liquid crystal (LC) spatial light modulators (SLMs) have been studied as a potential candidate for building non-mechanical OPAs. They can steer a laser beam and split the beam into multiple beams. This thesis builds upon the prior research showing each split beam can be individually controlled, including variation in intensity. A closed loop tracking scenario shows the flexibility of the SLM by tracking and stabilizing an incoming beam. Results show that applying a phase grating to the SLM has limitations …


Optimization Of Automatic Target Recognition With A Reject Option Using Fusion And Correlated Sensor Data, Trevor I. Laine Mar 2005

Optimization Of Automatic Target Recognition With A Reject Option Using Fusion And Correlated Sensor Data, Trevor I. Laine

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the optimization of automatic target recognition (ATR) systems when a rejection option is included. First, a comprehensive review of the literature inclusive of ATR assessment, fusion, correlated sensor data, and classifier rejection is presented. An optimization framework for the fusion of multiple sensors is then developed. This framework identifies preferred fusion rules and sensors along with rejection and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve thresholds without the use of explicit misclassification costs as required by a Bayes' loss function. This optimization framework is the first to integrate both "vertical" warfighter output label analysis and "horizontal" engineering confusion matrix …


Performance Of A Spectrally Encoded Multi-Carrier Phase Shift Keying Communications System In A Frequency-Selective, Slowly-Fading Multipath Channel, Charles M. Gaona Mar 2005

Performance Of A Spectrally Encoded Multi-Carrier Phase Shift Keying Communications System In A Frequency-Selective, Slowly-Fading Multipath Channel, Charles M. Gaona

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the performance of a spectrally encoded, multi-carrier, phase shift keying communications system in a frequency-selective, slowly-fading multipath channel. The specific communications system modeled is the transform domain communication system (TDCS) originally researched as an interference avoidance technique. Previous TDCS research assumed an additive white Gaussian noise channel, which is not representative of a realistic environment. This thesis presents overviews of previous TDCS research, the multipath fading channel, and the RAKE receiver. Analysis and Matlab simulations compare the performance of spectrally encoded and un-encoded signals through a multipath fading channel using an L-diversity TDCS RAKE receiver. Encoded signals …


An Analysis Of Information Assurance Relating To The Department Of Defense Radio Frequency Identification (Rfid) Passive Network, Robert G. Giovannetti Mar 2005

An Analysis Of Information Assurance Relating To The Department Of Defense Radio Frequency Identification (Rfid) Passive Network, Robert G. Giovannetti

Theses and Dissertations

The mandates for suppliers to commence Radio Frequency Identification tagging set by Wal-Mart and the Department of Defense is changing this long-time rumored technology into reality. Despite the many conveniences to automate and improve asset tracking this technology offers, consumer groups have obstinately opposed this adoption due to the perceived weaknesses in security and privacy of the network. While the heated debate between consumers and retailers continues, little to no research has addressed the implications of security on the Department of Defense Radio Frequency Identification network. This thesis utilized a historical analysis of Radio Frequency Identification literature to determine whether …


Determination Of Structure From Motion Using Aerial Imagery, Paul R. Graham Mar 2005

Determination Of Structure From Motion Using Aerial Imagery, Paul R. Graham

Theses and Dissertations

The structure from motion process creates three-dimensional models from a sequence of images. Until recently, most research in this field has been restricted to land-based imagery. This research examines the current methods of land-based structure from motion and evaluates their performance for aerial imagery. Current structure from motion algorithms search the initial image for features to track though the subsequent images. These features are used to create point correspondences between the two images. The correspondences are used to estimate the motion of the camera and then the three-dimensional structure of the scene. This research tests current algorithms using synthetic data …


The Use Of X-Ray Pulsars For Aiding Gps Satellite Orbit Determination, Dennis W. Woodfork Ii Mar 2005

The Use Of X-Ray Pulsars For Aiding Gps Satellite Orbit Determination, Dennis W. Woodfork Ii

Theses and Dissertations

This research proposes the use of an existing "signal of opportunity" - namely x-ray pulsars - to improve the accuracy and robustness of the GPS satellite and clock estimation algorithm. Improvement in satellite and clock accuracy results in a direct benefit to the user. A simulation has been developed to determine the effects of using x-ray pulsar measurements on the GPS Operational Control Segment. The epoch-specific position, velocity, and clock errors of all GPS satellites in the constellation were estimated using both pseudoranges and time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) measurements from pulsars. The primary measure of accuracy is a constellation Signal-In-Space Range Error …


An Examination Of Range And Doppler Mismatch And Their Effects On Radar Modeling, Gregory L. Izdepski Mar 2005

An Examination Of Range And Doppler Mismatch And Their Effects On Radar Modeling, Gregory L. Izdepski

Theses and Dissertations

A commonly accepted airborne phased array radar model simplifies the analytical derivation by assuming a waveform is perfectly matched in range and Doppler shift. This assumption means the matched filter output is effectively constant for all possible received scatterer Doppler and range mismatches, greatly simplifying the analytical development from that point forward. This research removes the matched Doppler and range assumption and examines the effects of several common waveforms on the model's fidelity along with the associated impact on radar performance, both non-adaptive and adaptive. Analysis is completed using power spectral density comparisons and the fully adaptive output signal to …


Doppler Aliasing Reduction In Wide-Angle Synthetic Aperture Radar Using A Linear Frequency Modulated Random Stepped-Frequency Waveform, Jason R. Mcmahon Mar 2005

Doppler Aliasing Reduction In Wide-Angle Synthetic Aperture Radar Using A Linear Frequency Modulated Random Stepped-Frequency Waveform, Jason R. Mcmahon

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the theory, application, and results of using Random Stepped-Frequency (RSF) waveforms to mitigate Doppler aliasing in a wide-angle Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging scenario. Severe Doppler aliasing typically occurs in this scenario since range extent requirements force the pulse repetition frequency to a value violating the lower bound for Doppler aliasing. Building on previous research, this work expands upon RSF waveform analysis using a Linear Frequency Modulated RSF (LFM-RSF) waveform. The RSF waveform suppresses Doppler aliasing by positioning nulls at the aliased scatterer location. Applying LFM with RSF processing theoretically provides greater frequency coverage and aliased scatterer …


Daytime Detection Of Space Objects, Alistair D. Funge Mar 2005

Daytime Detection Of Space Objects, Alistair D. Funge

Theses and Dissertations

Space Situational Awareness (SSA) requires repeated object updates for orbit accuracy. Detection of unknown objects is critical. A daytime model was developed that evaluated sun flares and assessed thermal emissions from space objects. Iridium satellites generate predictable sun glints. These were used as a model baseline for daytime detections. Flares and space object thermal emissions were examined for daytime detection. A variety of geometric, material and atmospheric characteristics affected this daytime detection capability. In a photon noise limited mode, simulated Iridium flares were detected. The peak Signal-to- Noise Ratios (SNR) were 6.05e18, 9.63e5, and 1.65e7 for the nighttime, daytime and …


Noise Estimation In The Presence Of Bpsk Digital Burst Transmissions, Susan E. Bettison Mar 2005

Noise Estimation In The Presence Of Bpsk Digital Burst Transmissions, Susan E. Bettison

Theses and Dissertations

This research explores noise estimation techniques in an attempt to improve upon a previously developed digital burst transmission Binary Phase Shift Keyed (BPSK) demodulator. The demodulator success is dependent on the accuracy of the estimate of Power Spectral Density (PSD) of the unknown noise. Given a discrete time signal transformed into the frequency domain, the research seeks to determine if it is possible to effectively estimate the PSD of the unknown noise. The demodulator was developed using a new signal model for digital burst transmissions based on linear spectral subspace theory. Using this model and the redundancy properties of BPSK …


Reconstruction Of Chromotomographic Imaging System Infrared Hyperspectral Scenes, Malcolm G. Gould Mar 2005

Reconstruction Of Chromotomographic Imaging System Infrared Hyperspectral Scenes, Malcolm G. Gould

Theses and Dissertations

Hyperspectral imagery providing both spatial and spectral information has diverse applications in remote sensing and scientific imaging scenarios. The development of the Chromotomographic Imaging System (CTIS) allows simultaneous collection of both spatial and spectral data by a two-dimensional (2D) focal plane detector array. Post-processing of the 2D detector data reconstructs the three-dimensional (3D) hyperspectral content of the imaged scene. This thesis develops Estimation Theory based algorithms for reconstructing the hyperspectral scene data. The initial algorithm developed reconstructs the 3D hyperspectral scene data cube. An additional algorithm reconstructs a matrix comprised of one spectral dimension and one compound spatial dimension. This …