TOA association based on an improved fuzzy clustering method in MLAT for A-SMGCS

MLAT (Multilateration) is becoming one of the leading surveillance techniques in the A-SMGCS (Advanced - Surface Movement Guidance & Control System), and play an important role in the future´s tracking system. MLAT is based on the TDOA (Time Difference of Arrival). It is very important for MLAT to associate TOAs (Time of Arrival) from different ground stations. This paper designs an improved clustering method with elastic grouping logic to adaptively associate the TOAs. This method dynamically adjusts the group number based on the cost function. Experiment results show our improved method can not only increase correct association ratio, but also decrease the position error of MLAT.