Method and system for multi-sensor data fusion using a modified dempster-shafer theory

Patent 6944566 Issued on September 13, 2005. Estimated Expiration Date:

March 25, 2023. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventors

Assignee

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Application

No. 10395215 filed on 03/25/2003

US Classes:

702/116, Of sensing device324/614, Signal to noise ratio or noise figure375/239, PULSE POSITION, FREQUENCY, OR SPACING MODULATION342/96, Automatic track while scan (ATWS)342/357.1, Combined with telecommunication250/372, Ultraviolet light responsive means600/528, Detecting heart sound342/50, With Telemetry342/357.02, With accuracy enhancing455/71Frequency control

Examiners

Primary: Hoff, Marc S.
Assistant: Baran, Mary Catherine

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch, LLP

International Class

G06F019/00

Abstract

A multi-sensor data fusion system and method provide an additive fusion technique including a modified belief function (algorithm) to adaptively weight the contributions from a plurality of sensors in the system and to produce multiple reliability terms including reliability terms associated with noise for low SNR situations. During a predetermined tracking period, data is received from each individual sensor in the system and a predetermined algorithm is performed to generate sensor reliability functions for each sensor based on each sensor SNR using at least one additional reliability factor associated with noise. Each sensor reliability function may be individually weighted based on the SNR for each sensor and other factors. Additive calculations are performed on the reliability functions to produce at least one system reliability function which provides a confidence level for the multi-sensor system relating to the correct classification (recognition) of desired objects (e.g., targets and decoys).

Other References

Wang et al., “On the Uncertainty and Ignorance of Statistical Decision and Evidence Combination”, Dec. 1996, Multisensor Fusion and Integration for Intelligent Systems, 1996. IEEE/SICE/RSJ International Conference on, pp. 166-173.
Buede, “Shafer-Dempster and Bayesian reasoning: a response to ‘Shafer-Dempster reasoning with applications to multisensor target identification systems’”, Nov.-Dec. 1988, Systems, Man and Cybernetics, IEEE Transactions on, vol. 18 iss. 6, pp. 1009-1011.
Siegel et al. “Sensor fusion using Dempster-Shafer theory”, May 2002, Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, 2002. IMTC/2002. Proceedings of the 19th IEEE, vol. 1, pp. 7-12.