Error Analysis and Amendment of Three Array-elements Passive Ranging

Three array-elements ranging is a conventional technique of passive ranging.However,its ranging accuracy is usually not ideal in real applications under the scenario of short base-line array.In order to analyze the effects of various errors on the distance estimation during ranging and improve the ranging accuracy,the effects of array aperture,target direction,array elements installation errors,and swinging of operating platform on three array-elements ranging were studied and the amendment algorithm compensating the errors caused by latter two aspects was discussed by both theoretical analysis and computer simulation.Research results show that the ranging precision is inversely proportional to the effective array aperture while the precision of time delay estimation is kept unchanging;the time delay estimation accuracy of μs should be ensured if the requirement of ranging accuracy is better than 10% when the target bearings is in the sector of 30°≤θ≤150°;and the effects of installation error of central sensor on ranging precision of targets at different directions are different.The ranging accuracy of three array-elements ranging accuracy can be improved by compensating and amending the errors.