Multilateration tracking and synchronization over wide areas

Abstract

We study technical issues involving a wide-area surveillance system using multilateration sensors. A satellite clock reference scheme is seen as a better solution for synchronization of widely dispersed sensors. We then describe a direct solution approach to derive target positions. Techniques are developed for resolving solution ambiguities, including different sensor combinations and tracking algorithms. It is also proposed that signal strength comparison and other techniques be used to enhance the tracking performance and accuracies with Mode A/C data. Finally, some flight test results are shown to demonstrate the feasibility of multilateration system for wide-area surveillance.