Performance comparison of emitter locating system for low level airborne targets

Abstract

Emitter locating system - a component of electronic support (ES) - could complement existing radar systems for the detection of low level airborne targets. This is possible since targets emit signals for locating, navigation and communication. Thus, an emitter locating system can locate the target from its emission using spatially located receivers. Two methods will be evaluated: multiangulation (MANG) based on angle of arrival (AOA) estimation, and multilateration (MLAT) based on time difference of arrival (TDOA) estimation. Between the two methods, MLAT has the advantage of detecting targets in 3D. Evaluation is performed using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation, where the parameters used are based on the typical low probability of intercept radar and wireless data link and receiver parameters for range of up to 50 km at a minimum altitude of 400 ft (122 m). On the horizontal position estimation, MANG has lower mean square error over longer ranges between 30 to 50 km, while MLAT is able to estimate altitude for up to 50 km at the lower carrier frequency of 2.4 GHz.