Distributed optimization for radar mission coordination

TL;DR: This paper presents optimization algorithms that enable multiple ship-based radar systems to maximize their collective target search area while concurrently solving an optimal sensor-to-target assignment problem.

Abstract: This paper presents optimization algorithms that enable multiple ship-based radar systems to maximize their collective target search area while concurrently solving an optimal sensor-to-target assignment problem. We present theoretically justified strategies that determine the optimal ship location and search-area radius for each radar in a given threat environment satisfying a pre-defined resource reserve constraint. We then solve the optimal target-assignment problem by balancing the radar tasking among all participating sensors and show the resulting increase in the number of trackable targets in the combined search area. We provide analytical and numerical simulations to illustrate the algorithm performance.