Bayesian Data Fusion for Distributed Target Detection in Sensor Networks

In this correspondence, we study different approaches for Bayesian data fusion for distributed target detection in sensor networks. Due to communication and bandwidth constraints, we assume that each sensor can only transmit a local decision to the fusion center (FC), which is in charge to take the final decision about the presence of a target. The optimal Bayesian test statistic at the FC is derived in the case where both the number and locations of the sensors are known. On the other hand, if both the number and the locations of the sensors are unknown, the optimal Bayesian test statistic is computed based on the same observations that the Scan Statistic test utilizes. The performances of the different approaches are compared through simulation.