Deadbeat Source Localization from Range-only Measurements: a Robust Kernel-based Approach

Abstract—This paper presents a novel framework for the problem of target localization based on the range information collected by a single mobile agent. The proposed methodology exploits the algebra of Volterra integral operators to annihilate the influence of initial conditions on the transient phase, thus achieving a deadbeat performance. The robustness properties against additive measurement perturbations are analyzed and the bias caused by the time-discretization is characterized as well. Extensive simulation results and comparisons are provided showing the effectiveness of the proposed technique in coping with both stationary and drifting targets.