Data Fusion for Improved Acquisition, Tracking and Discrimination

This proposal will suggest using an experimental Sensor Model. This model is currently being developed under an Air Force Phase II Fastrack SBIR effort sponsored by NIMA for imagery systems. The sensor model developed will theoretically characterizeevery type of sensor, not just imagery sensors. By researching possible implementation of the sensor model with other applications we can ensure that this technology will be directly applicable. This proposal suggests researching the applicability of thesensor model to solve sensor fusion and interoperability problems. We are confident this technology will enhance the interoperability, timelessness, accuracy, and fusion of multi-sensor data. This sensor model will enable a common way of characterizingany sensor and a means to be able to precisely fuse of sensor data. The parameters of the sensor model are generated typically at the sensor collection systems automatically. The parameters typically are transported with the sensor data enabling a commonsensor processor to process any sensor data without knowing any sensor characteristics prior to processing. This implementation requires sensors to be calibrated in a common fashion. The implementation of this model will provide data interoperabilityamong all sensor systems, while enabling rapid precise geo-location of sensor data with error measurements. Some of the advantages realized to developing a common sensor model and capturing sensor data in terms of that model are: 1)increased missioneffectiveness through increased interoperability with other sensor systems across services and nations 2) increased precision and accuracy of sensor data, 3) increased ease of adoption of new sensor systems, 4) increased fusion capability with other sensorsystems, 5) reduced onboard sensor processing requirements, and 6) reduced overhead and bandwidth requirements.