Predetection fusion with similar sensors

Peter K. Willett; Mark G. Alford; Vincent C. Vannicola

doi:10.1117/12.154986

3 September 1993 Predetection fusion with similar sensors

Peter K. Willett, Mark G. Alford, Vincent C. Vannicola

Proceedings Volume 1955, Signal Processing, Sensor Fusion, and Target Recognition II; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.154986
Event: Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1993, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

There has been a great deal of theoretical study into decentralized detection networks composed of similar (often identical), independent sensors, and this has produced a number of satisfying theoretical results. At this point it is perhaps worth asking whether or not there is a great deal of point to such study -- certainly two sensors can provide twice the illumination of one, but what does this really translate to in terms of performance? We shall take as our metric the ground area covered with a specified Neyman-Pearson detection performance. To be fair, the comparison is of a multi-sensor network to a single-sensor system where both have the same aggregate transmitter power. The situations examined are by no means exhaustive but are, we believe, representative. Is there a case? The answer, as might be expected, is `sometimes.' When the statistical situation is well-behaved there is very little benefit to a fused system; however, when the environment is hostile the gains can be significant. We shall see, depending on the situation, gains from co-location, gains from separation, optimal gains from operation at a `fusion range,' and sometimes no gains at all.

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Peter K. Willett, Mark G. Alford, and Vincent C. Vannicola "Predetection fusion with similar sensors", Proc. SPIE 1955, Signal Processing, Sensor Fusion, and Target Recognition II, (3 September 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.154986

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