Ultra-Wideband impulse radio (UWB-IR) technology is an attractive method on multi-user for high data rate transmitting structures. In this thesis, we use the ultra wideband (UWB) signal that is modulated by the time-hopping spread spectrum technique in a wireless multiple access environments, and discuss the influences of multiple access interference. We discuss two parts of the influences of multiple access interference in this thesis. The first, we analyze the multiple access interferences on the conventional correlation receiver, and discuss the influences by using the time hopping code on different multiple access structures. The second, we know that the performances of user detection and system capacity would be degraded by the conventional correlation receiver in the multiple access channels. The Probabilistic Data Association(PDA) multi-user detection technology can eliminate multiple access interferences in this part. We will use this method to verify the system performance through the computer simulations, and compare to other multi-user detectors with convention correlation receivers. Finally, the simulation results show that the performance of the PDA multi-user detections is improved when the system is full loaded.

An algorithm for tracking single visual targets is developed in this study. Feature detection is the necessary and appropriate image processing technique for this algorithm. The main point of this approach is to use the data supplied by the feature detection as the observation from a group of targets having similar motion dynamics. Therefore a single visual target is regarded as a group of multiple targets. Accurate data association and state estimation under clutter are desired for this application similar to other multi-target tracking applications. The group tracking approach is used with the well-known probabilistic data association technique to cope with data association and estimation problems. The applicability of this method particularly for visual tracking and for other cases is also discussed.

Multitarget tracking in the presence of false alarm is a difficult problem to consider. The objective of multitarget tracking is to estimate the number of targets and their states recursively from available observations. At any given time, targets can be born, die and spawn from already existing targets. Sensors can detect these targets with a defined threshold, where normally the observation is influenced by false alarm. Also if the targets are with low signal to noise ratio (SNR) then the targets may not be detected. The Random Finite Set (RFS) filters can be used to solve such multitarget problem efficiently. Specially, one of the best and most widely used RFS based filter is the Probability Hypothesis Density (PHD) filter. The PHD filter approximates the posterior probability density function (PDF) by the first order moment only, where the targets SNR assumed to be much higher. The PHD filter supports targets die, born, spawn and missed-detection by using the well known implementations including Sequential Monte Carlo Probability Hypothesis Density (SMC-PHD) and Gaussian Mixture Probability Hypothesis Density (GM-PHD) methods. The SMC-PHD filter suffers from the well known degeneracy problems while GM-PHD filter may not be suitable for nonlinear and non-Gaussian target tracking problems. It is desirable to have a filter that can provide continuous estimates for any distribution. This is the motivation for the use of B-Splines in this thesis. One of the main focus of the thesis is the B-Spline based PHD (SPHD) filters. The Spline is a well developed theory and been used in academia and industry for more than five decades. The B-Spline can represent any numerical, geometrical and statistical functions and models including the PDF and PHD. The SPHD filter can be applied to linear, nonlinear, Gaussian and non-Gaussian multitarget tracking applications. The SPHD continuity can be maintained by selecting splines with order of three or more, which avoids the degeneracy-related problem. Another important characteristic of the SPHD filter is that the SPHD can be locally controlled, which allow the manipulations of the SPHD and its natural tendency for handling the nonlinear problems. The SPHD filter can be further extended to support maneuvering multitarget tracking, where it can be an alternative to any available PHD filter implementations. The PHD filter does not work well for very low observable (VLO) target tracking problems, where the targets SNR is normally very low. For very low SNR scenarios the PDF must be approximated by higher order moments. Therefore the PHD implementations may not be suitable for the problem considered in this thesis. One of the best estimator to use in VLO target tracking problem is the Maximum-Likelihood Probability Data Association (ML-PDA) algorithm. The standard ML-PDA algorithm is widely used in single target initialization or geolocation problems with high false alarm. The B-Spline is also used in the ML-PDA (SML-PDA) implementations. The SML-PDA algorithm has the capability to determine the global maximum of ML-PDA log-likelihood ratio with high efficiency in terms of state estimates and low computational complexity. For fast passive track initialization, search and rescue operations the SML-PDA algorithm can be used more efficiently compared to the standard ML-PDA algorithm. Also the SML-PDA algorithm with the extension supports the multitarget tracking. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Target tracking and trajectory prediction are state estimation applications. Popular state estimation techniques include the Kalman Filter (KF), Extended KF (EKF), Unscented KF (UKF), and the Particle Filter (PF). A limitation of these filters is that the model must be largely known; if this is violated, it may cause instability. A filter known as the Smooth Variable Structure Filter (SVSF) has been developed to address modeling errors. It is hypothesized that SVSFs will improve tracking and trajectory prediction performance due to their robustness against modeling uncertainties. To begin, two trajectory prediction algorithms for autonomous driving based on Interacting Multiple Model (IMM) estimation are developed. One combines the IMM and KF, called IMM-KF, and the other combines IMM with the Generalized Variable Boundary Layer - Smooth Variable Structure Filter (GVBL-SVSF), called IMM-GVBL-SVSF. The performance of both algorithms is comparatively analyzed using synthetic and real datasets. A comparison is made to machine learning strategies as well. Moreover, a general framework for SVSF formulation is proposed, putting a subset of SVSF variants under one umbrella. A strategy to combine nonlinear KFs with SVSFs is proposed, which results in six hybrid filters. Since a subset of SVSF variants can be discovered as special cases of these filters, the proposed framework puts these variants under one umbrella. The hybrid filters are applied to perform aircraft target tracking using synthetic radar measurements. Their performance is compared to the EKF, UKF, Cubature KF, PF, and other SVSFs. Furthermore, the covariance is reformulated for the Dynamic Second-Order Smooth Variable Structure Filter. A new PDAF is formulated that uses this covariance. An optimal filter that minimizes the trace of the covariance is also proposed. The new PDAF and the optimal filter are applied to perform aircraft tracking using synthetic radar data, and the performance is compared with other filters. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / This thesis proposes novel algorithms for state estimation, target tracking, and trajectory prediction. State estimation refers to estimating variables of a physical system (e.g. car, robot, airplane) that change over-time using sensor measurements. Examples of variables are position, velocity, and acceleration. These variables are state variables and the set of values together form the state. The state is the smallest set of variables that describe the past behavior of a system such that the system's future behavior can be predicted using these variables. The proposed state estimation methods are applied to perform target tracking. Target tracking involves estimating the state variables (e.g. position, velocity, acceleration) of moving objects detected by sensors such as radar, LIDAR, and camera. Trajectory prediction refers to estimating the future values of these variables in the next few seconds. This thesis also proposes trajectory prediction algorithms for autonomous driving, which utilize state estimation.

A cruise missile is a guided missile that uses a lifting wing and a jet propulsion system to allow sustained flight. Cruise missiles are, in essence, unmanned aircraft and they are generally designed to carry a large conventional or nuclear warhead many hundreds of miles with excellent accuracy. In this study, navigation and control studies on cruise missiles are performed. Due to the variety and complexity of the subsystems of the cruise missiles, the main concern is limited with the navigation system. Navigation system determines the position, velocity, attitude and time solutions of the missile. Therefore, it can be concluded that an accurate self-contained navigation system directly influences the success of the missile. In the study, modern radar data association algorithms are implemented as new Terrain Aided Navigation (TAN) algorithms which can be used with low-cost Inertial Measurement Units (IMU&rsquo / s). In order to perform the study, first a thorough survey of the literature on mid-course navigation of cruise missiles is performed. Then, study on modern radar data association algorithms and their implementations to TAN are done with simple simulations. At the case study part, a six degree of freedom (6 DOF) flight simulation tool is developed which includes the aerodynamic and dynamic model of the cruise missile model including error model of the navigation system. Finally, the performances of the designed navigation systems with the implemented TAN algorithms are examined in detail with the help of the simulations performed.

An analysis and simulation tool is developed for optimizing system parameters of the monopulse target tracking radar and observing effects of the system parameters on the performance of the system over different scenarios. A monopulse tracking radar is modeled for measuring the performance of the radar with given parameters, during the thesis studies. The radar model simulates the operation of a Class IA type monopulse automatic tracking radar, which uses a planar phased array. The interacting multiple model (IMM) estimator with the Probabilistic Data Association (PDA) technique is used as the tracking filter. In addition to modeling of the tracking radar model, an optimization tool is developed to optimize system parameters of this tracking radar model. The optimization tool implements a Genetic Algorithm (GA) belonging to a GA Toolbox distributed by Department of Automatic Control and System Engineering at University of Sheffield. The thesis presents optimization results over some given optimization scenarios and concludes on effect of tracking filter parameters, beamwidth and dwell interval for the confirmed track.

Tato diplomova prace se zameruje na sledovani pohybu vice objektu. Prace popisuje dve implementace filtru, ktere jsou v podstate zalozeny na principu Kalmanova filtru. Obe implementace jsou zalozeny na principu sledovani vice objektu, na zaklade znalosti pozic vsech objektu v kazdem snimku. Prvni implementace je smisena verze Globalniho a Standardniho filtru nejblizsich sousedu. Druha implementace je postavena na pravde- podobnostnim pristupu k procesu sdruzeni. Posledni kapitola poskytuje srovnani mezi temito filtry a Zakladnim filtrem. Algoritmy byly realizovany v jave.

A promising line of research attempts to bridge the gap between detector and tracker by means of considering jointly optimal parameter settings for both of these subsystems. Along this fruitful path, this thesis study focuses on the problem of detection threshold optimization in a tracker-aware manner so that a feedback from the tracker to the detector is established to maximize the overall system performance. Special emphasis is given to the optimization schemes based on two non-simulation performance prediction (NSPP) methodologies for the probabilistic data association filter (PDAF), namely, the modified Riccati equation (MRE) and the hybrid conditional averaging (HYCA) algorithm. The possible improvements are presented in two domains: Non-maneuvering and maneuvering target tracking. In the first domain, a number of algorithmic and experimental evaluation gaps are identified and newly proposed methods are compared with the existing ones in a unified theoretical and experimental framework. Furthermore, for the MRE based dynamic threshold optimization problem, a closed-form solution is proposed. This solution brings a theoretical lower bound on the operating signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) concerning when the tracking system should be switched to the track before detect (TBD) mode. As the improvements of the second domain, some of the ideas used in the first domain are extended to the maneuvering target tracking case. The primary contribution is made by extending the dynamic optimization schemes applicable to the PDAF to the interacting multiple model probabilistic data association filter (IMM-PDAF). Resulting in an online feedback from the filter to the detector, this extension makes the tracking system robust against track losses under low SNR values.

Dans ce travail, nous proposons une représentation efficace de l’environnement adaptée à la problématique de la navigation autonome. Cette représentation topométrique est constituée d’un graphe de sphères de vision augmentées d’informations de profondeur. Localement la sphère de vision augmentée constitue une représentation égocentrée complète de l’environnement proche. Le graphe de sphères permet de couvrir un environnement de grande taille et d’en assurer la représentation. Les "poses" à 6 degrés de liberté calculées entre sphères sont facilement exploitables par des tâches de navigation en temps réel. Dans cette thèse, les problématiques suivantes ont été considérées : Comment intégrer des informations géométriques et photométriques dans une approche d’odométrie visuelle robuste ; comment déterminer le nombre et le placement des sphères augmentées pour représenter un environnement de façon complète ; comment modéliser les incertitudes pour fusionner les observations dans le but d’augmenter la précision de la représentation ; comment utiliser des cartes de saillances pour augmenter la précision et la stabilité du processus d’odométrie visuelle. / Our aim is concentrated around building ego-centric topometric maps represented as a graph of keyframe nodes which can be efficiently used by autonomous agents. The keyframe nodes which combines a spherical image and a depth map (augmented visual sphere) synthesises information collected in a local area of space by an embedded acquisition system. The representation of the global environment consists of a collection of augmented visual spheres that provide the necessary coverage of an operational area. A "pose" graph that links these spheres together in six degrees of freedom, also defines the domain potentially exploitable for navigation tasks in real time. As part of this research, an approach to map-based representation has been proposed by considering the following issues : how to robustly apply visual odometry by making the most of both photometric and ; geometric information available from our augmented spherical database ; how to determine the quantity and optimal placement of these augmented spheres to cover an environment completely ; how tomodel sensor uncertainties and update the dense infomation of the augmented spheres ; how to compactly represent the information contained in the augmented sphere to ensure robustness, accuracy and stability along an explored trajectory by making use of saliency maps.