On determining the design of fusion detection networks

Methods are explored to determine an efficient design procedure for large, distributed fusion networks. An efficient design will not require optimization over the discrete fusion rule. The authors present several approaches to developing efficient designs, assuming equal local thresholds. However, the designs developed are not necessarily optimal, given this assumption. The authors also present the numerical detection performance (probability of error) produced from optimizing each performance measure. In addition, they present the conditions under which the obvious design (using the local minimum-probability-of-error criterion) is not optimal