Data association for deghosting in Y-shaped passive linear array sonars

• Published in: IEEE transactions on aerospace and electronic systems Vol. 40; no. 1; pp. 103 - 113
• Main Authors: Bonhwa Ku, Jehan Yoon, Han, D.K., Hanseok Ko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.01.2004; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Algorithms; Ambiguity; Bearing; Cost function; Current measurement; Data engineering; Frequency measurement; Ghosts; Lagrangian functions; Linear arrays; Particle measurements; Programmable logic arrays; Sonar; State estimation; Studies; Target tracking; Three dimensional; Yttrium
• ISSN: 0018-9251; 1557-9603
• DOI: 10.1109/TAES.2004.1292146

This paper deals with data association using three sets of passive linear array sonars (PLAS) geometrically positioned in a Y-shaped configuration, fixed in an underwater environment. The data association problem is directly transformed into a 3D assignment, which is known to be NP hard. For generic passive sensors, it can be solved using conventional algorithms, while in PLAS, it becomes a formidable task due to the presence of bearing ambiguity. Thus, the central issue of the problem in PLAS is how to eliminate the bearing ambiguity without increasing tracking error. To solve this problem, the 3D assignment algorithm used the likelihood value of only those observed bearing measurements is modified by incorporating frequency information in consecutive time-aligned scans. The region of possible ghost targets is first established by the geometrical relation of PLAS with respect to target. The ghost targets are then confirmed and eliminated by generating multiple observations in consecutive scans. Representative simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.