Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, June, 2003. / Title from PDF t.p.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / A radar system observes an aircraft once during each scan of the airspace, and uses these observations to construct a track representing a possible route of the aircraft. However when aircraft interact closely there is the possiblility of confusing the identities of the tracks. In this thesis multiple hypothesis techniques are applied to extract an identity confidence from a track, given a set of possible tracks and observations. The system utilises numerous estimation filters internally and these are investigated and compared in detail. The Identity Confidence algorithm is tested using a developed radar simulation system, and evaluated sucessfully against a series of benchmark tests.

Non-controlled airports are literally that - uncontrolled. Safe separation is achieved by pilot vigilance. The consensus of reports on incidences at noncontrolled airports generally conclude that pilots cannot rely entirely on vision to avoid collision and attempts should be made to obtain all available traffic information to enable a directed traffic search. Ideally, a system is required which has the ability to provide advice to all parties to ensure separation minima is maintained. Provision of a such a system would remove a measure of pressure from the pilot to allow that person to devote their attention to their prime responsibility of flying the aircraft. To this end, research on use of intelligent remote advisory systems for non-controlled airports was undertaken with emphasis on those systems which could minimize human resources and associated recurring costs, to provide a measure of repeatability and to provide an acceptable level of safety. A rule based system was developed and evaluated. The evaluation showed that use of a rule based system as the basis of an intelligent remote air traffic control system for non-controlled airports is a viable proposition. In test scenarios, collision hazards were identified and evasion tactics generated. For a full operational system, the application of the rules and definition of the aircraft circuit area may need refining; however, the results are certainly encouraging.