Information combination operators for data fusion: a comparative review with classification

In most data fusion systems, the information extracted from each sensor (either numerical or symbolic) is represented as a degree of belief in an event with real values, taking in this way into account the imprecise, uncertain, and incomplete nature of the information. The combination of such degrees of belief is performed through numerical fusion operators. A very large variety of such operators has been proposed in the literature. We propose in this paper a classification of these operators issued from the different data fusion theories with respect to their behavior. Three classes are thus defined. This classification provides a guide for choosing an operator in a given problem. This choice can then be refined from the desired properties of the operators, from their decisiveness, and by examining how they deal with conflictive situations.