Method and arrangement for probabilistic determination of a target

Abstract

According to a target locating method and system, each of a plurality of sensing stations, for example HFDF sensors, senses a nominal value of a predetermined measurement variable such as a bearing, differential times of arrival, etc., relating the location of a potential target in a target area to the location of each respective sensing station. Error models associated with each sensing station, along with the nominal measured variable for each sensing station, are transmitted to a central data collector. A central processor receives the collected data and directs a monitor to display a representation of the target area. The invention also provides a method for estimating the position of the target based on the nominal measurements of the location variable and also on the error models for each sensing station. The target area is divided into a grid of target area segments. The processor then determines a partial probability that the target lies in each given target area segment based on the nominal measurement and error model for each sensing station independently. A composite probability value representing the probability that the target lies in each given target area segment is then calculated based on the partial probabilities for each sensing station. The processor then directs the display to represent the target area as regions of probability of for the location of the target.