Abstract: A method for the selection of hypotheses for modeling physical phenomena, includes detecting if selected features are present by analyzing actual sensed data and parameter values of an initial physical phenomena model; comparing feature estimating hypotheses to the actual data for determining a belief probability assignment value (bpa) for each of the hypotheses which indicates the likelihood that the selected features exist in the actual data and the likelihood that such selected features cannot accurately be determined as existing due to the presence of noise; selecting a set of the hypotheses most accurately modeling the physical phenomena based on the bpa of each selected hypotheses meeting a predetermined criteria; generating evidential support values and lack of evidential support values for subsets of the set having non-zero subset bpa's; ranking the subsets having non-zero subset bpa's in order of decreasing subset bpa; unioning subsets of the power set for forming unioned subsets and determ

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for providing an estimate of the state of a contact. The method includes the steps of sensing the state of the contact; generating signals representative of the state of the contact; and processing the signals using a random search procedure to arrive at an estimate of the state of the contact. The random search procedure may employ the simulated annealing-based algorithm methodology or the genetic-based algorithm methodologies. The system includes sensors for sensing the state of the contact and a pre-programmed computer for generating the desired contact state estimates.

Abstract: A method for performing mutations in a genetic algorithm-based underwater oustic contact tracking system includes the steps of: (i) providing an initially ordered list of bit numbers; (ii) selecting a random number from a uniform distribution of numbers; (iii) performing an inverse mapping of the selected random number via a binomial distribution, to determine a number of bits to mutate; (iv) determining if mutation is to be performed; (v) selecting particular bits to mutate; (vi) complementing selected bits; and (vii) outputting mutated contact state variables. The invention further contemplates a system for performing the above method.

Abstract: A system for providing an iterative method of assessing accuracy of selected models of physical phenomena and for determining selection of alternate models in response to a data sequence in the presence of noise. Initially, a residual sequence is generated reflecting difference values between in response to said data sequence and an expected data sequence as would be represented by a selected model. Feature estimate values of a plurality of predetermined data features in the residual sequence are then generated. In response to the feature estimate values, a threshold value is generated for each feature at an estimated ratio of data to noise power.

Abstract: A system for providing an iterative method of assessing accuracy of selec models of physical phenomena and for determining selection of alternate models in response to a data sequence in the presence of noise. Initially, a residual sequence is generated reflecting difference values between in response to said data sequence and an expected data sequence as would be represented by a selected model. Feature estimate values of a plurality of predetermined data features in the residual sequence are then generated. In response to the feature estimate values, a threshold value is generated for each feature at an estimated ratio of data to noise. Probability values are generated in response to the threshold value, representing the likelihood that the feature exists in the data sequence, does not exist in the data sequence, and that the existence or non-existence in the data sequence is not determinable. Finally, a model is selected in response to the probability values for use during a subsequent iteration.