Analysis of the accuracy of a propossed [i.e. proposed] Target Motion Analysis procedure.

Abstract

This thesis investigates the accuracy of a recently proposed passive bearings-only Target Motion Analysis (TMA) procedure. The primar\' method of analysis is to compare computer generated positions of a Target that is moving with a constant course and speed, with the procedurally derived estimated positions. A computer model was developed which simulated several possible interactions between the Target and Own Ship. Estimated parameters of the Target track were computed using the procedure under analysis. These values were compared to the "true" values generated by the simulation. An analysis of the TMA procedure as originally proposed showed that it failed to accurately estimate the target track parameters. However with some modifications, the accuracy improved significantly and it is felt that the procedure can accurately estimate target range (but not necessarily course and speed) for some target geometries.