ISSO Y2005 Annual Report | Contents

UWB Tracking System Design with TDOA Algorithm for Space Applications • 19-22,38
Edward Dickerson, Dickey Arndt, Jianjun Ni
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Abstract--An ultra-wideband (UWB) tracking system design effort is underway for a free-flying video camera system to aid in inspection around the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle. This system can also be applied to tracking for Lunar/Mars rovers in early exploration phases where satellite navigation systems (such as GPS) are not available. The SCOUT vehicle under development at JSC provides a testbed for the utilization of the UWB tracking system in such an environment. UWB technology is exploited to implement the tracking system with its properties, such as high data rate, fine time resolution, low power spectral density, and multipath immunity. A system design using commercially available UWB products has been implemented. A tracking algorithm, TDOA (Time Difference of Arrival), has been investigated. The performance analysis provides guidance to improve system design. Simulations show that the TDOA algorithm can achieve fine resolution with low noise data. Outdoor tests demonstrate the feasibility of UWB tracking.