Multi-Aperture Vector Sensor Vertical Array Processing Enhancements to Reduce Operator Workload

Linear vector sensor arrays (VSAs) allow for an increased level of angular resolution while decreasing ambiguities associated traditional hydrophone linear arrays, however this improved performance comes at the cost of an increase in the number of signals produced by a VSA that need to be processed and scanned by a human operator using conventional methods.  Furthermore, multi-aperture VSAs compound the problem by producing multiple non-overlapping narrowband outputs that further need to be processed and analyzed via human interaction.  Triton Systems, Inc. proposes to leverage recent advances in VSA signal processing and estimation techniques to automatically fuse data at multiple levels and reduce operator workload by at least a factor of six by producing the minimum set of signals and parameters that precisely detect and classify all targets in an environment.