Skip to main content
Log in

Multiple Hypotheses Testing Method for Distributed Multisensor Systems

  • Published:
Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a two-layer sensor fusion scheme for multiple hypotheses multisensor systems. To reflect reality in decision making, uncertain decision regions are introduced in the hypotheses testing process. The entire decision space is partitioned into distinct regions of “correct”, “uncertain” and “incorrect” regions. The first layer of decision is made by each sensor indepedently based on a set of optimal decision rules. The fusion process is performed by treating the fusion center as an additional “virtual” sensor to the system. This “virtual” sensor makes decision based on the decisions reached by the set of sensors in the system. The optimal decision rules are derived by minimizing the Bayes risk function. As a consequence, the performance of the system as well as individual sensors can be quantified by the probabilities of correct, incorrect and uncertain decisions. Numerical examples of three hypotheses, two and four sensor systems are presented to illustrate the proposed scheme.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Dasarathy, B. V.: Decision Fusion, IEEE Computer Soc. Press, Los Alamitos, CA, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Dasarathy, B. V.: Sensor fusion potential exploitation-innovative architectures and illustrative applications, Proc. IEEE 85(1) (1997), 24-38.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Dasarathy, B. V.: Decision fusion strategies for target detection with a three-sensor suite, SPIE Proc. 3067 (1997), 14-25.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Dasarathy, B. V.: Operationally efficient architectures for fusion of binary-decision sensors in multidecision environments, Optical Engrg. 36(3) (1997), 632-641.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Dasarathy, B. V.: Asymmetric fusion strategies for target detection in multisensor environments, SPIE Proc. 3067 (1997), 26-37.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Hall, D. L.: Mathematical Techniques in Multisensor Data Fusion, Artech House, 1992.

  7. Hall, D. L. and Linas, J.: An introduction to multisensor data fusion, Proc. IEEE 85(1) (1997), 1-23.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hoballah, I. Y. and Varshney, P. K.: Distributed Bayesian signal detection, IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory 35(5) (1989), 995-1000.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Lee, C. C. and Chao, J. J.: Optimal local decision space partitioning for distributed detection, IEEE Trans. Aerospace Electronic Systems 25 (1989), 536-544.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Luo, R. C. and Kay, M. G.: Multisensor Integration and Fusion for Intelligent Machine and Systems, Ablex, 1995.

  11. Sadjadi, F. A.: Hypotheses testing in a distributed environment, IEEE Trans. Aerospace Electronic Systems 22(2) (1986), 134-137.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Samarasooriya, V. N. S. and Varshney, P. K.: Distributed detection with multiple sensors: Part I-Fundamentals, Proc. IEEE 85(1) (1997), 54-63.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Tenney, R. R. and Sandel, N. R.: Detection and distributed sensors, IEEE Trans. Aerospace Electronic Systems 23(4) (1981), 501-509.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Thomopolous, S. C. A.: Sensor integration and data fusion, Internat. J. Robotics 17(3) (1990), 337-372.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Thomopolous, S. C. A.: Theories in distributed decision fusion: Comparison and generalization, SPIE Proc. 1383 (1990), 623-634.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Thomopolous, S. C. A. and Reger, K. M.: Experiment validation of likelihood ratio and CFAR detectors for multi-frequency radar data fusion, SPIE Proc. 2905 (1996), 127-138.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Thomopolous, S. C. A., Viswanathan, R., and Bouboulias, D. O.: Optimal decision fusion in multiple sensor system, IEEE Trans. Aerospace Electronic Systems 23(5) (1987), 644-653.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Tsitsiklis, J. N. and Athans, M.: On complexity of decentralized decision making and detection problems, IEEE Trans. Automat. Control 30(5) (1985), 440-446.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Varshney, P. K. et al.: Distributed Detection and Data Fusion, Springer, New York, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Wang, X. G., Qian, W. H., Pagello, E., and Pei, R. Q.: On the uncertainty and ignorance of statistical decision and evidence combination, in: Proc. of the IEEE/SICE/RSJ Internat. Conf. on Multisensor Fusion and Integration for Intelligent Systems, Washington, DC, December 1996, USA, pp. 166-173.

  21. Wang, X. G. and Shen, H. C.: Multiple hypothesis testing method for decision making, in: Proc. of the 1999 IEEE Internat. Conf. on Robotics and Automation, Detroit, MI, USA, May 10-15, 1999, pp. 2090-2095.

  22. Wang, X. G. and Shen, H. C.: Multiple hypothesis testing fusion method for multisensor system, in: Proc. of the 1999 IEEE/RSJ Internat. Conf. on Intelligent Robots and Systems, Kyongju, South Korea, October 17-21, 1999, pp. 1008-1013.

  23. Wang, X. G., Shen, H. C., and Qian, W. H.: A hypothesis testing method for multisensory fusion systems, in: Proc. of the IEEE Internat. Conf. on Robotics and Automation, Leuven, Belgium, May 16-21, 1998, pp. 3407-3412.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shen, H.C., Wang, X.G. Multiple Hypotheses Testing Method for Distributed Multisensor Systems. Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems 30, 119–141 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008170229084

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008170229084

Navigation