T16 - Tracking and Sensor Data Fusion – Methodological Framework and Selected Applications.

The tutorial covers the material of the recently published book of the presenter with the same title (Springer 2014, Mathematical Engineering Series, ISBN 978-3-642-39270-2) and thus provides an guided introduction to deeper reading. Starting point is the well known JDL model of sensor data and information fusion that provides general orientation within the world of fusion methodologies and its various applications, covering a dynamically evolving field of ever increasing relevance. Using the JDL model as a guiding principle, the tutorial introduces into advanced fusion technologies based on practical examples taken from real world applications. 

More strictly speaking, sensor data and information fusion is the process of combining incomplete and imperfect pieces of mutually complementary data in such a way that a better understanding of an underlying real-world phenomenon is achieved. The tutorial addresses the following aspects

To facilitate the transfer of notions and algorithms of sensor data and information fusion to problem solving in engineering and information system design is the objective of the proposed tutorial. The tutorial is application oriented, but also provides an introduction into the mathematical notions and concepts necessary to fully understand the discussion of the selected application examples. The inner structure of the tutorial directly follows from these considerations.

1. Sensor Data Fusion, as an information technology as well as a branch of engineering science and informatics, is motivated, put into a more general context, and related to Command, Control, and Information Systems. Basic elements and notions are introduced as well as elements of a coherent methodological framework of Sensor Data Fusion, thus providing the prerequisites for discussing selected applications in the second and main part of the tutorial.
2. To illustrate the methodology, selected application examples are discussed, where specific problems are highlighted. The discussed examples are chosen from the presenter’s own work and are grouped around the following over-all topics:
   1. Integration of Advanced Sensor Properties (Sensor Resolution, Doppler Blindness, Jamming Conditions)
   2. Integration of Advanced Object Properties (Manoeuvring    Behaviour, Object Extension, Chemical Signatures)
   3. Integration of Topographical Information (Road-map Assisted     Tracking, Road-map Extraction, Multipath Prediction)
   4. Feedback to Acquisition: Sensor Management (Adaptive Beam   Control, Bayesian Local Search, Energy Adaptation)

Instructor biography

Dr. rer.nat. habil. Wolfgang Koch, Fellow, IEEE

• 1962  born in Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany, study of physics and mathematics at Aachen Technical University (RWTH), Germany
• Since 1990   Research Scientist at the German Defence Research Establishment FGAN, now called Fraunhofer Defence and Security.
• Since 2002   Lecturer for Sensor Data Fusion at Bonn University
• Since 2002   Head of Department Sensor Data and Information Fusion
• Since 2003   Editing services for IEEE T-AES
• 2005  Initiation of a series of annual IEEE ISIF workshops SDF: Sensor Data Fusion: Trends, Solutions, Applications. 2014: Bonn, GE
• Since 2007   Member of the Board of Directors of ISIF
• 2008  Executive Chair of the 11th International Conference on Information Fusion, June 30 – July 3, 2008, Cologne, Germany (together with Peter Willett)
• 2010  Habilitation at University of Bonn University, Germany.
• 2011  Fellow, IEEE
• 2013  President of the ISIF