Fast iterative shooter localization in urban terrain using ray casting

Abstract

This study presents a method for real-time capable localization of impulsive acoustic events in urban terrain, omitting the need for precomputation phases, such as in time matching or impulse response matching. Using ray casting, solutions of the wave equation are computed using a boundary discretization of intersected objects, forming a weighted graph using line of sight checks, and deploying an A* search graph traversal algorithm for the calculation of the propagation time. Subsequently, the wave amplitude along the identified eigenrays is computed. The study discusses the properties and suitability of cost functions based on time differences of arrival, amplitude differences of arrival, and a combined cost function for iterative ray-based localization. The method is validated using pressure data of the muzzle blasts of various firearms collected via unattended ground sensors during an experimental campaign at the military urban combat facility in Walenstadt, Switzerland.