Over-the-horizon radar surveillance sensor fusion for enhanced coordinate registration

Abstract

Redundant data from independent over-the-horizon radar systems can increase the track accuracy by providing more independent "looks" at the target. With proper geometry, complementary radar systems can aid in resolving uncertainties in the coordinate registration through the various ionospheric modes. Systematic positional differences between tracks from the separate radars can be used to improve the estimation of ionospheric heights. In operational systems, targets are tracked by multiple over-the-horizon radars in overlapping coverage areas. We consider the case of two over-the-horizon radars. The main algorithm is designed to hand-off range bias errors from one radar's ionospheric mode to a second radar. It is expected that the resultant algorithmic development based on the work described in this paper will improve track positional accuracy by more than 50%.