Analysis of the Positional Accuracy of a Range Difference Missile Position Measuring System
Abstract
The Telemetry (TM) Tracker system is designed to determine time, space, and position information (TSPI) of an airborne missile by detecting its telemetry signal at a number of receiver sites. Doppler frequency measurements are converted to range differences between the missile and receiver sites, whose locations are known in three dimensions. An algorithm then utilizes these range differences to obtain missile TSPI with 1-meter accuracy. The TM Tracker was fielded during live missile firings and measurements indicated that the desired TSPI accuracy was not attained. This thesis examines system requirements and limitations of the TM Tracker to obtain TSPI with 1-meter accuracy. The theory of operation and components of the TM Tracker are introduced. Algorithms used in computing position of a radiating source from range differences are analyzed. MATLAB simulations are conducted with missile trajectory data to determine the required measurement precision and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver sites to obtain 1-meter TSPI. The receivers' 45-degree, 3-dB beam widths are then implemented to observe their effects on TSPI accuracy. Simulations reveal that the TM Tracker system is capable of producing TSPI with 1-meter accuracy provided that precise frequency measurements and adequate SNR values are available at the receiver sites.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA384866
Entities
People
- Robert A. Klaszky
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School