Dynamic Sensor Management of Dispersed and Disparate EO/IR Sensors

Sensor management of dispersed and disparate EO/IR sensors presents a daunting theoretical and practical challenge. Scientific Systems Company, Inc. of Woburn MA and its subcontractor, Lockheed Martin MS2 Tactical Systems (LMTS) of Eagan MN, propose a foundational, control-theoretic approach that is based on three innovations: (1) a multisensor-multitarget likelihood function which encapsulates all relevant information regarding the characteristics of the various sensors; (2) a "dynamic situational significance map" that mathematically specifies the meaning of "tactical significance" for a given theater at a given moment; (3) an intuitively meaningful and potentially computationally tractable objective function, namely the expected number of targets of tactical significance; and (4) integration of these concepts with approximate multitarget filters. Phase I showed the feasibility assessment by simulating satellite trajectories (MSX, INTELSAT 511, and THOR 2A), and demonstrated: (1) a tractable sensor management (SM) objective function for the SBV sensor, (2) excellent SM performance for the reduced complexity scenarios considered, and (3) satisfactory tracking errors. The primary focus of the Phase II will be the development of a prototype sensor management algorithm to be tested using realistic simulated multisensor data with the goal of characterizing system performance for a range of realistic scenarios involving platforms such as the MSX, SBSS. Specific Phase II tasks are: (1) Improved Tracking/SM Performance, (2) Multi-Platform Multi-Sensor Extension, (3) Incorporating the Specifics of other Sensors, (4) Fusion of other Sensors and/or Sources, (5) Utilizing Photometric Features for Targets Significance to be Incorporated into the SM Objective Function, (6) Characterizing the Effectiveness, Strengths, and Limitations of the Algorithms, and (7) Phase III, Transfer of Technology, and Commercialization. The project team includes Dr. Ronald Mahler of Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin will provide both technical and commercialization support in the application of sensor management technologies.