Multi-platform geolocation method and system
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsThomas C. Minter, Robert S. Reichert, Richard A. Kallaus
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for determining the geolocation of an emitter using sensors located at a single or multiple platforms is disclosed. Generally, the method includes the steps of receiving a first measurement set relative to a first emitter, the first measurement set including angle of arrival, time difference of arrival and/or terrain height/altitude measurements, receiving a first location guess or estimate for the first emitter, and determining at least a second location estimate using at least one of a batch least squares analysis and a Kalman filter analysis.
Claims20
A method for locating a first emitter comprising the steps of:
- receiving at a first platform and a second platform at a first point in time a first signal from the first emitter;
- determining at least one of a first angle of arrival and a first time of arrival of the first signal at the first platform at the first point in time;
- determining at least one of a second angle of arrival and a second time of arrival of the first signal at the second platform at the first point in time;
- receiving a first altitude estimate for the first emitter, wherein the first altitude estimate is an estimate of an altitude of the first emitter in relation to a predetermined altitude reference;
- determining a first location estimate of the first emitter using said first altitude estimate for the first emitter and at least one of the first angle of arrival and the first time of arrival of the first signal at the first platform at the first point in time and said at least one of the second angle of arrival and the second time of arrival of the first signal at the second platform at the first point in time.
A method for locating a first emitter comprising the steps of:
- receiving an initial location estimate of the first emitter;
- receiving a first altitude estimate of the first emitter, wherein the first altitude estimate is an estimate of an altitude of the first emitter above sea level in relation to a predetermined altitude reference;
- receiving at a first platform and a second platform at a first point in time a first signal from the first emitter;
- determining a first time difference of arrival of the first signal at the first and second platforms at the first point in time;
- determining a first location estimate of the first emitter using said first time difference of arrival of the first signal at the first and second platforms at the first point in time, said inital location of the first emitter and said first altitude estimate of the first emitter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.