<title>Multisensor data fusion implementation within a distributed command and control system</title>

Abstract

The naval forces will encounter air, surface, underwater, electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR), communications, radar, electronic warfare, etc., threats. Technological advancements of future threats to the navy will place heavy demands (quicker reaction to faster, stealth threats) upon the ability to process and interpret tactical data provided by multiple and often dissimilar sensors. This emphasizes the need for a naval platform employing an automated distributed command and control system (CCS) which includes a multi-sensor data fusion (MSDF) function to increase probability of mission success facing the threats of the future. The main advantage of a distributed CCS is redundancy and reconfigurability resulting in a high degree of survivability and flexibility while accomplishing the mission. The MSDF function provides the combat system with a capability to analyze sensor data from multiple sensors and derive contact/track solutions, which would not be derived by the individual sensors. The command and control (C2) functions, including the MSDF function, operate within a number of general purpose C2 processors, communicating with each other and the sensor systems via a high speed data bus. Different sensors are more effective in different environmental conditions and for different geometrical parameters (elevation, distance, bearing, etc.). The MSDF function combines the capabilities of all the sensors providing the operators and other CCS functions with more accurate solutions faster than each sensor system operating alone. An architecture of a distributed CCS using an MSDF function to increase the probability of mission success of a naval platform is presented.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.