Influence of Synchronization Impairments on an Experimental TDOA/FDOA Localization System

Abstract

Abstract:In Electronic Warfare, and more specifically in the domain of passive localization, accurate time synchronization between platforms is decisive, especially on systems relying on TDOA (time difference of arrival) and FDOA (frequency difference of arrival). This paper investigates this issue by presenting an analysis in terms of final localization performance of an experimental passive localization system based on off-the-shelf components. This system is detailed, as well as the methodology used to carry out the acquisition of real data. This experiment has been realized with two different kinds of clock. The results are analyzed by calculating the Allan deviation and time deviation. The choice of these metrics is explained and their properties are discussed in the scope of an airborne bi-platform passive localization context. Conclusions are drawn regarding the overall localization performance of the system.