An Application of Fuzzy Logic Control to a Classical Military Tracking Problem

Abstract

ABSTRACTFuzzy logic is an emerging field of theory and application that holds great promise for the control of systems–especially those systems that cannot be described mathematically or that are nonlinear in nature. Fuzzy logic's strength lies in its heuristic approach to control. Instead of requiring complex mathematical equations that describe a system's behavior, fuzzy logic allows systems designers to use a set of common sense, plain‐English rules to invoke a desired system response.The purpose of this project was to explore fuzzy logic as a way to effect control of a target tracking system. The military tracking problem is one that has been well‐studied, and many solutions using various means of control have been successfully implemented. These control methods, however, are reaching the limits of their application. Fuzzy logic offers an exciting alternative solution to this problem.In pursuit of this project, an optical tracking platform was designed and built. A fuzzy logic control system was also developed and implemented. This system used information about a target laser's position and rate of change of position with respect to the tracking platform in two dimensions–elevation and azimuth–in order to arrive at its control decisions.