Closed-form 3-D position estimation lateration algorithm reference pair selection technique for a multilateration system

Abstract

The position estimation (PE) accuracy of the lateration algorithm of a multilateration system depends on several factors. These factors include the number of ground receiving station (GRS)s deployed, the approach to the lateration algorithm, the geometry of the deployed GRSs, the number of GRS used as reference for the lateration algorithm and the choice of GRS used as reference to generate the time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements for the lateration algorithm. A closed-form reference pair lateration algorithm based on a total of five GRSs is developed and a technique for selecting the suitable GRS reference pair to generate the TDOA measurements to be used with lateration algorithm is suggested. The technique is based on condition number computation and selecting the GRS pair with the least condition number as a reference for the closed-form lateration algorithm. The suggested technique is validated using 5-square and pentagon GRS configurations at some selected aircraft positions. The validation results show that the suggested technique can be used to determine the suitable GRS reference pair to generate the TDOA measurements for a passive multilateration system.