Precision missile guidance using radar/multiple-video sensor fusion via communication channels with bit-rate constraints

We consider a precision missile guidance problem in which the objective is twofold: to come as close as possible to hitting the target, and also to do so from a particular direction. The effectiveness of a guidance law is strongly dependent on the quality of information available to it. In this work we construct a precision guidance law that combines information from an on-board video camera with data transmitted from ground-based radars and video cameras mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles. The communication channels are bit-rate limited, and recent results in control and estimation over finite-data-rate channels are used to construct a nonlinear state estimator. Simulations show the performance improvements which are possible compared to the use of the on-board sensor alone.