C² information management: data fusion and track ID's in a multiple sensor environment.

Abstract

Battle management decision making requires a composite picture of the environment, including identification of moving and stationary "targets". The current state of technology allows large volumes of data to be gathered from multiple sources. Target kinematics and identity features must be derived through fusion of the data. Initial assignment and maintenance of track numbers, the identifying labels, may lead to ambiguity in command and control information management. The problem is discussed in terms of data fusion in a multiple sensor environment, giving particular emphasis to managing track ED numbers in representative architectures. An overview of data fusion provides a framework for the problem of track ID's. A Centralized Architecture, Distributed Architecture, and two Hybrid Architectures are developed focusing on design tradeoffs. System evaluation using the Analytic Hierarchy Process furnishes the reader an illustration of a process which might be used to select an optimal architecture. This research does not attempt to propose a specific design, but identifies several key criteria which must be evaluated and suggests a framework for comparative analysis.