Unconventional algorithm for emitter position location in three-dimensional space using data from two-dimensional direction finding

Various papers have been published concerning emitter position location using angle measurements. The so called triangulation algorithms were formulated mostly for position estimation on the plane. These algorithms are widely applied in Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) and Electronic Warfare (EW) operations. Conventional (classical) algorithms for emitter position determination in three-dimensional space use the horizontal bearing (azimuth of an emitter) and the vertical bearing (elevation angle) obtained from real measurements. Such algorithms need these measurement magnitudes without any primary processing. The unconventional (non-classical) algorithm presented here uses the both above-mentioned bearings, however these real observations are linked up within the singular pseudo-observation called the generalized bearing (or slant azimuth). Thus real angle measurements are preprocessed here. Such approach yields double reduction of matrix and vector dimensions as well as provide homogeneity or measurement equations and in consequence give homogeneous form of the gradient matrix. This algorithm shows good statistical and computational properties. It provides slightly higher accuracy of position estimation and requires essentially smaller storage for data acquisition than the conventional one