Integrated Data Registration for Networked Aircraft Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Topic No.: N112-101 Topic Title: Integrated Data Registration for Networked Aircraft Proposal No.: N112-101-0243 Firm: Numerica Corporation 4850 Hahns Peak Drive Suite 200 Loveland, Colorado 80538 Contact: Randy Paffenrith Phone: (970) 461-2000 Web Site: www.numerica.us Abstract: All sensors are less than perfect in their perception of the environment, including knowledge of their own position and orientation. These errors lead to inaccuracies in fulfilling their responsibilities, and less than optimal performance in support of warfighters. When sensors in a network seek to share their information with each other, such errors can be compounded, offsetting much of the gain to be had from fusing information from multiple sensors. Target tracking using data from a network of sensors offers challenges of its own, especially if the network nodes want to maintain a Single Integrated Air Picture (SIAP). Fortunately, there are recently developed statistical methods for estimating the systematic errors, mitigating the remaining stochastic errors, and efficiently maintaining SIAP among the members of a sensor/tracking network. Numerica is at the forefront of the research and development of these algorithms, and we propose to adapt and extend these methods to develop an integrated data registration system for networked aircraft for the US Navy. Benefits: Algorithms for performing data registration among networked sensors have wide applicability. Ultimately, all sensors require some form of bias correction, and all sensors in a network require some form of data registration to account for and correct constant and residual biases. There are many examples of transition paths within the Department of Defense for the algorithms discussed herein, ranging from the Army's IBCS, to the Navy's CEC to name but a few. These are programs needing network-centric tracking, and they are substantial programs, as the IBCS is a $577 million program. Data registration is important wherever sensors are used, and especially important wherever sensors are to be used in a networked system. Networks of sensors mounted on moving platforms stand to gain the most performance improvement from advanced data registration algorithms. Beyond military applications, there are a vast range of commercial applications including any netted sensor framework; from groups of radio telescopes, to surveillance systems with multiple video cameras, to again name but a few. All of these transition paths are certainly of interest to Numerica and will be explored throughout a presumed SBIR process. Return