D. Alspach

Bio: D. Alspach is an academic researcher from Colorado State University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Linearization & Fast Kalman filter. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 3 publications receiving 1212 citations.

Nonlinear Bayesian estimation using Gaussian sum approximations

Abstract: Knowledge of the probability density function of the state conditioned on all available measurement data provides the most complete possible description of the state, and from this density any of the common types of estimates (e.g., minimum variance or maximum a posteriori) can be determined. Except in the linear Gaussian case, it is extremely difficult to determine this density function. In this paper an approximation that permits the explicit calculation of the a posteriori density from the Bayesian recursion relations is discussed and applied to the solution of the nonlinear filtering problem. In particular, it is noted that a weighted sum of Gaussian probability density functions can be used to approximate arbitrarily closely another density function. This representation provides the basis for procedure that is developed and discussed.

Dual control based on approximate a posteriori density functions

Abstract: The problem of control of a nonlinear time discrete stochastic system is considered. The control function is obtained with the help of approximate a posteriori density functions from a set of measurable functions defined on all past controls and measurements. Approximations are chosen to retain the dual (estimator-controller) nature of the truly optimal control The controls obtained from this method can have considerably different structure from those obtained by the more usual use of linearization and application of the "separation theorem" that is invalid for this problem. The possible use of this method to discover the proper structure of an optimal control that may then be implemented in a much simpler fashion for real-time applications is discussed.

Comments on "On the identification of variances and adaptive Kalman filtering"

Abstract: It has been found that a modification is required in the test proposed in a paper by Mehra. The purpose of this test is to tell whether or not identification is complete. This modification is described and an example showing the need for the modification is given.

Novel approach to nonlinear/non-Gaussian Bayesian state estimation

Abstract: An algorithm, the bootstrap filter, is proposed for implementing recursive Bayesian filters. The required density of the state vector is represented as a set of random samples, which are updated and propagated by the algorithm. The method is not restricted by assumptions of linear- ity or Gaussian noise: it may be applied to any state transition or measurement model. A simula- tion example of the bearings only tracking problem is presented. This simulation includes schemes for improving the efficiency of the basic algorithm. For this example, the performance of the bootstrap filter is greatly superior to the standard extended Kalman filter.

Sequential Monte Carlo methods in practice

Abstract: Monte Carlo methods are revolutionizing the on-line analysis of data in fields as diverse as financial modeling, target tracking and computer vision. These methods, appearing under the names of bootstrap filters, condensation, optimal Monte Carlo filters, particle filters and survival of the fittest, have made it possible to solve numerically many complex, non-standard problems that were previously intractable. This book presents the first comprehensive treatment of these techniques, including convergence results and applications to tracking, guidance, automated target recognition, aircraft navigation, robot navigation, econometrics, financial modeling, neural networks, optimal control, optimal filtering, communications, reinforcement learning, signal enhancement, model averaging and selection, computer vision, semiconductor design, population biology, dynamic Bayesian networks, and time series analysis. This will be of great value to students, researchers and practitioners, who have some basic knowledge of probability. Arnaud Doucet received the Ph. D. degree from the University of Paris-XI Orsay in 1997. From 1998 to 2000, he conducted research at the Signal Processing Group of Cambridge University, UK. He is currently an assistant professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering of Melbourne University, Australia. His research interests include Bayesian statistics, dynamic models and Monte Carlo methods. Nando de Freitas obtained a Ph.D. degree in information engineering from Cambridge University in 1999. He is presently a research associate with the artificial intelligence group of the University of California at Berkeley. His main research interests are in Bayesian statistics and the application of on-line and batch Monte Carlo methods to machine learning. Neil Gordon obtained a Ph.D. in Statistics from Imperial College, University of London in 1993. He is with the Pattern and Information Processing group at the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency in the United Kingdom. His research interests are in time series, statistical data analysis, and pattern recognition with a particular emphasis on target tracking and missile guidance.

Unscented filtering and nonlinear estimation

Abstract: The extended Kalman filter (EKF) is probably the most widely used estimation algorithm for nonlinear systems. However, more than 35 years of experience in the estimation community has shown that is difficult to implement, difficult to tune, and only reliable for systems that are almost linear on the time scale of the updates. Many of these difficulties arise from its use of linearization. To overcome this limitation, the unscented transformation (UT) was developed as a method to propagate mean and covariance information through nonlinear transformations. It is more accurate, easier to implement, and uses the same order of calculations as linearization. This paper reviews the motivation, development, use, and implications of the UT.

Cubature Kalman Filters

Abstract: In this paper, we present a new nonlinear filter for high-dimensional state estimation, which we have named the cubature Kalman filter (CKF) The heart of the CKF is a spherical-radial cubature rule, which makes it possible to numerically compute multivariate moment integrals encountered in the nonlinear Bayesian filter Specifically, we derive a third-degree spherical-radial cubature rule that provides a set of cubature points scaling linearly with the state-vector dimension The CKF may therefore provide a systematic solution for high-dimensional nonlinear filtering problems The paper also includes the derivation of a square-root version of the CKF for improved numerical stability The CKF is tested experimentally in two nonlinear state estimation problems In the first problem, the proposed cubature rule is used to compute the second-order statistics of a nonlinearly transformed Gaussian random variable The second problem addresses the use of the CKF for tracking a maneuvering aircraft The results of both experiments demonstrate the improved performance of the CKF over conventional nonlinear filters

Monte Carlo Filter and Smoother for Non-Gaussian Nonlinear State Space Models

Abstract: A new algorithm for the prediction, filtering, and smoothing of non-Gaussian nonlinear state space models is shown. The algorithm is based on a Monte Carlo method in which successive prediction, filtering (and subsequently smoothing), conditional probability density functions are approximated by many of their realizations. The particular contribution of this algorithm is that it can be applied to a broad class of nonlinear non-Gaussian higher dimensional state space models on the provision that the dimensions of the system noise and the observation noise are relatively low. Several numerical examples are shown.