A newly patented methodology could help the Department of the Air Force (DAF) use its defensive resources more efficiently and effectively.
Dr. Benjamin Robinson is currently a program officer at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) managing the organization’s Computational Cognition and Machine Intelligence portfolio. While affiliated with the AFRL Sensors Directorate (RY), Dr. Robinson invented a new methodology for operating radar systems. This innovative approach combines the most positive aspects of existing methods for clutter mitigation while eliminating many of those methods’ most glaring shortcomings. This cutting-edge methodology, according to Dr. Robinson, can decrease the number of “false alarms” related to the potential presence of enemy assets, thereby reducing operator fatigue along with the amount of money spent on expensive interceptor missiles.
Modern warfare has witnessed the extensive proliferation of drones and other such aircraft, which are often rather cheap to produce. The process of intercepting and neutralizing such items usually requires using missiles, which are quite expensive by comparison. Experiencing a “false alarm” and launching an interceptor against a nonexistent enemy asset can therefore prove very costly, both in terms of dollars spent but also as related to radar operator stress levels. DAF therefore has a strong interest in achieving optimal accuracy in its identification of potential threats. These identification decisions rely upon the application of complex statistical methods to the data collected by radar systems.
One statistical approach widely used in previous generations, the “linear covariance” (or “diagonal loading”) method, was an acceptable but imperfect way of assessing potential threats. When using this method, collecting more contextual information and data almost always leads to better decision making, although the threat picture often remains relatively imprecise overall. By contrast, newer approaches like the “nonlinear covariance shrinkage” method have a higher performance ceiling. However, when using these more recent methods, having more information can sometimes lead to less accurate decisions due to algorithmic instabilities.
Dr. Robinson’s innovation combines the best portions of older and newer methods while minimizing the negative aspects of each. In other words, it raises the overall performance ceilings in accordance with newer methods while decreasing the number of false alarms potentially generated by algorithmic instabilities. The patented methodology is therefore designed to help radar operators make the best decisions possible when faced with unforgiving time constraints and heavily cluttered environments.
The invention is intended for use during “initial phase” searches in which simply detecting the general presence of new targets is more important than pinpoint accuracy regarding their precise locations. One might think of trying to locate a specific person whispering in a crowded football stadium. To eventually pinpoint the exact position of the person, one would first need to locate the general section in which the person is seated, which would narrow down the search area more manageably. Dr. Robinson’s innovation is intended for this initial search phase, while other methodologies are optimized for more precise and specified needs.
Although this innovation has obvious applications within DAF and across the broader Department of War (DoW), it could also yield potential benefit to other federal government organizations. Indeed, one of Dr. Robinson’s colleagues working with the Department of Energy (DoE) has already begun using the methodology to analyze other use cases.
Dr. Robinson’s patent application was facilitated by RY’s Office of Research and Technology Application (ORTA). DAF ORTAs protect DAF’s interests in new discoveries achieved in DAF research laboratories. DAF ORTAs work with DAF scientists and engineers to navigate the patent application and issuance process, ensuring that DAF’s intellectual property interests are protected. After patent issuance, many technologies are licensed to external entities for further development, and DAF ORTAs also facilitate this process. DAF ORTAs coordinate their activities with the DAF Technology Transfer and Transition (T3) Program Office, which oversees individual ORTAs and performs ORTA functions for DAF laboratories lacking a designated ORTA.
United States Patent Office Patent #12,571,879
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace forces. With a workforce spanning across nine technology areas and 40 other operations around the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit www.afresearchlab.com.