Dr. Neal A. Carlson is a recognized expert in navigation systems, optimal estimation theory, and data fusion. He has leading-edge experience in navigation filter design, multiplatform data fusion, and system modeling and simulation. His work has focused on inertial systems, GPS, radar systems, and surveillance systems for air, ground and space applications. His contributions have ranged from top-level system design to detailed algorithm development. He has been the President and Technical Director of Integrity Systems since 1983.

At Integrity Systems, Dr. Carlson recently was principle investigator of the Distributed Tracking Architecture (DTA) Study for AFRL. He refined track sensor truth models for DTA Simulation engine (DTASIM) that simulated multiple platforms, multiple navigation and track sensors, and multiple air targets. He developed federated tracker algorithms for near-globally optimal fusion of local platform track estimates. He refined previously developed postprocessing tools to evaluate distributed tracker performance. He also assisted in designing and testing a graphical user interface for a new, Windows-based version of DTASIM called MTRACK.

Under an Integrity Systems subcontract, Dr. Carlson acted as lead engineer of the Multi-Aircraft Networked Tracking Architecture (MANTA) project. He developed the MANTA simulation testbed by adding multiplatform, multisensor, and multitarget features to the DKF Simulator. He developed distributed tracker fusion algorithms with near-globally optimal estimation accuracy, and data association algorithms for matching multiplatform track estimates. He developed postprocessing methods and tools to evaluate distributed tracker performance.

Dr. Carlson has also been Co-Principal Investigator of the Common Reference Frame Phase II project for AFRL. He defined the common reference frame methodology and algorithms needed to ensure that target location data from different sources are provided to the battle-field user in a consistent and readily usable form, with negligible errors due to datum, coordinate-frame and message-format conversions. He also developed a highly efficient geodetic transformation algorithm now used in some operational programs at Edwards AFB.

Working part-time for another company in 1996 as Manager of the Surveillance and Tracking Section, Dr. Carlson provided programmatic and technical supervision of several DoD projects involving design of ground target track filters, onboard/offboard data fusion, and fusion of track segments from multiple sources. He participated in the development of methods and algorithms to correlate reports and tracks from multiple sources, and to use digital terrain elevation and feature analysis (road) data to improve tracking performance for moving ground targets.

Earlier for Integrity Systems, Dr. Carlson was Principal Investigator of the Distibuted Kalman Filter (DKF) Architectures Phase II SBIR project (AFRL). He developed the new federated filter method for application to distributed multisensor navigation systems. He designed and built the DKF Simulator to evaluate federated filter performance for a modern distributed navigation system. This simulator has since been adapted to several other programs.

Dr. Carlson received his Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from M.I.T., and his B.S.E. in Aeronautical Engineering from Princeton University.