Predicting sensor fusion performance using theoretical models

Simple theoretical models can be constructed to study the behavior of sensor-fused systems using idealized sensor suites. Models are available for feature-level and decision-level fusion, both of which are now being used with demining sensors. These models are attractive as design tools and for estimating the expected performance of new sensor suites, since their performance can be evaluated with relatively little effort. In this paper we review some simple idealized models and their predictions for fused system performance. The data produced by demining sensors are often correlated, and the effect of correlation is explored for both feature-level and decision-level fusion.