Paper
Simulating Aerial Targets in 3D Accounting for the Earth's Curvature
Publication
Volume Number:
10
Issue Number:
1
Pages:
Starting page
31
Ending page
57
Publication Date:
Publication Date
June 2015
paper Menu
Abstract
Most dynamic models for target tracking are derived for a flat Earth. When simulating the trajectories of targets over long ranges, the curvature of the Earth becomes important. This paper demonstrates how most nonlinear, 3D, continuous-time, flat-Earth dynamic models can be easily adapted for use on a curved Earth without incorrectly spiraling into the poles as is typical of previous techniques. The algorithm is demonstrated with flat-Earth non-maneuvering, turning, weaving, and spiraling dynamic models. The underlying technique can also compute geodesic curves on or above the Earth in a singularity-free manner when used with a non-maneuvering dynamic model.
