TDOA Localization Algorithm based on Weight Fusion of Target Position Coordinates

Abstract

The use time of difference of arrival (TDOA) or angle of arrival (AOA) in locating the target requires at least four base stations. The measurement accuracy of different base stations varies due to different relative positions of the base station and the target. Therefore, the measurement results of different base stations cannot be discussed simultaneously. A new TDOA localization algorithm based on weighting fusion of position coordinates of target source was proposed to address this problem. First, maximum likelihood estimation was used to acquire the position coordinates of multiple groups of target sources on the 2D plane with time of arrival (TOA) and AOA of signals from base stations to the target source. Second, the coordinates were applied with weighted fusion according to the relative angle between the signals emitted from the base stations and target source to obtain relatively accurate 3D position coordinates. Finally, the proposed algorithm was compared with TDOA localization algorithm and TDOA-AOA combined localization algorithm. Results reveal that the proposed algorithm increases accuracy by 68.33% and 48.27% compared with TDOA localization algorithm and TDOA-AOA combined localization algorithm, respectively. Weighting data fusion can increase the calculation accuracy more effectively than the averaging method. This study increases the accuracy of 3D target localization in complicated environment. The proposed method shows prospect to optimize the wireless positioning technology in military and civilian fields.