Effective Observing Area based evaluating method for formation design

When multiple flying vehicles collaborate in locating a target, their formation design is an important factor to the error of location. Based on the analyses of contribution that formation design made to the location error, Effective Observing Area is defined as a criterion to assess formation design. An evaluation method for formation design is then proposed in this paper, which can serve as a guide in further formation design. Digital simulation results have proved the effectiveness and correct of this concept.