Multi-Sensor Data Fusion in Non-Gaussian Orbit Determination

Author

Kyle J. DeMars, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
James S. McCabe

Abstract

Multi-sensor networks can alleviate the need for high-cost, high-accuracy, single-sensor tracking in favor of an abundance of lower-cost and lower-accuracy sensors to perform multi-sensor tracking. The use of a multi-sensor network gives rise to the need for a fusion step that combines the outputs of all sensor nodes into a single probabilistic state descrip-tion. When considering Gaussian uncertainties, the well-known covariance intersection technique may be used. In the more general, non-Gaussian case, covariance intersection is not sufficient. This paper examines a fusion method based on logarithmic opinion pools and develops algorithms for multi-sensor data fusion as well as investigates weflight selection schemes for the opinion pool. The proposed fusion rules are applied to the tracking of a space object using multiple ground-based optical sensors. Non-Gaussian orbit determination methods are applied to each sensor individually, and the fusion rule is applied to the combined outputs of each sensor node. It is shown that the multi-sensor fusion rule leads to an increase of nearly two orders of magnitude in the position tracking accuracy as compared to the traditional single-sensor tracking method.

Recommended Citation

K. J. DeMars and J. S. McCabe, "Multi-Sensor Data Fusion in Non-Gaussian Orbit Determination," Proceedings of the AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference (2014, San Diego, CA), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Aug 2014.

Meeting Name

AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference (2014: Aug. 4-7, San Diego, CA)

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Astrophysics; Lakes; Sensor networks; Sensor nodes; Covariance intersection; Multi-sensor fusion; Multi-sensor networks; Multi-sensor tracking; Multisensor data fusion; Orbit determination; Orders of magnitude; Selection scheme; Gaussian noise (electronic)

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-1624103087

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2014 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Aug 2014