Optimal multisensor decision fusion of mine detection algorithms

Numerous detection algorithms, using various sensor modalities, have been developed for the detection of mines in cluttered and noisy backgrounds. The performance for each detection algorithm is typically reported in terms of the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC), which is a plot of the probability of detection versus false alarm as a function of the threshold setting on the output decision variable of each algorithm. In this paper we present multi-sensor decision fusion algorithms that combine the local decisions of existing detection algorithms for different sensors. This offers, in certain situations, an expedient, attractive and much simpler alternative to "starting over" with the redesign of a new algorithm which fuses multiple sensors at the data level. The goal in our multi-sensor decision fusion approach is to exploit complimentary strengths of existing multi-sensor algorithms so as to achieve performance (ROC) that exceeds the performance of any sensor algorithm operating in isolation. Our approach to multi-sensor decision fusion is based on optimal signal detection theory, using the likelihood ratio. We consider the optimal fusion of local decisions for two sensors, GPR (ground penetrating radar) and MD (metal detector). A new robust algorithm for decision fusion is presented that addresses the problem that the statistics of the training data is not likely to exactly match the statistics of the test data. ROC's are presented and compared for real data.