Comparative analysis of different approaches to target differentiation and localization with sonar

This study compares the performances of different methods for the differentiation and localization of commonly encountered features in indoor environments. Differentiation of such features is of interest for intelligent systems in a variety of applications such as system control based on acoustic signal detection and identification, map building, navigation, obstacle avoidance, and target tracking. Different representations of amplitude and time-of-flight measurement patterns experimentally acquired from a real sonar system are processed. The approaches compared in this study include the target differentiation algorithm, Dempster-Shafer evidential reasoning, different kinds of voting schemes, statistical pattern recognition techniques (k-nearest neighbor classifier, kernel estimator, parameterized density estimator, linear discriminant analysis, and fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm), and artificial neural networks. The neural networks are trained with different input signal representations obtained using pre-processing techniques such as discrete ordinary and fractional Fourier, Hartley and wavelet transforms, and Kohonen's self-organizing feature map. The use of neural networks trained with the back-propagation algorithm, usually with fractional Fourier transform or wavelet pre-processing results in near perfect differentiation, around 85% correct range estimation and around 95% correct azimuth estimation, which would be satisfactory in a wide range of applications.     

物联网环境下多智能体决策信息支持技术

随着物联网技术的不断发展,传感器网络得到了广泛的应用并成为信息技术领域重要的基础设施。尤其是传感网络提供的实时感知信息,为许多智能应用提供了充分的信息支持和必要的决策依据。然而,由于智能应用的实时感知信息需求通常无法转化为简单的查询请求与传感器底层查询接口准确匹配,因此,基于物联网的智能决策常常无法准确获取到决策相关的实时信息。针对此问题,提出一个基于语义覆盖网的物联网信息资源描述、推理和应用模型,并以多智能体系统决策支持为应用基础,研究了新型物联网环境下的多智能体决策信息支持技术。该技术以基于多智能体系统的团队导向规划的任务分解方法为核心,将复杂任务分解为若干简单子任务,并基于本体推理方法把子任务执行时需要的决策信息转化为精确、完备的传感器信息查询,从而实现从物联网中准确定位具体的传感器并获取相应感知信息的实时决策信息支持机制。     

Fuzzy multiattribute group decision making based on intuitionistic fuzzy sets and evidential reasoning methodology

In this paper, we propose a new fuzzy multiattribute group decision making method based on intuitionistic fuzzy sets and the evidential reasoning methodology. First, the proposed method uses the evidential reasoning methodology to aggregate each decision maker’s decision matrix and the weights of the attributes to get the aggregated decision matrix of each decision maker. Then, it uses the obtained aggregated decision matrices of the experts, the weights of the experts and the evidential reasoning methodology to get the aggregated intuitionistic fuzzy value of each alternative. Finally, it calculates the transformed value of the obtained intuitionistic fuzzy value of each alternative. The smaller the transformed value, the better the preference order of the alternative. The proposed method can overcome the drawbacks of the existing methods for fuzzy multiattribute group decision making in intuitionistic fuzzy environments.     

A new multiple decisions fusion rule for targets detection in multiple sensors distributed detection systems with data fusion

Currently, multiple sensors distributed detection systems with data fusion are used extensively in both civilian and military applications. The optimality of most detection fusion rules implemented in these systems relies on the knowledge of probability distributions for all distributed sensors. The overall detection performance of the central processor is often worse than expected due to instabilities of the sensors probability density functions. This paper proposes a new multiple decisions fusion rule for targets detection in distributed multiple sensor systems with data fusion. Unlike the published studies, in which the overall decision is based on single binary decision from each individual sensor and requires the knowledge of the sensors probability distributions, the proposed fusion method derives the overall decision based on multiple decisions from each individual sensor assuming that the probability distributions are not known. Therefore, the proposed fusion rule is insensitive to instabilities of the sensors probability distributions. The proposed multiple decisions fusion rule is derived and its overall performance is evaluated. Comparisons with the performance of single sensor, optimum hard detection, optimum centralized detection, and a multiple thresholds decision fusion, are also provided. The results show that the proposed multiple decisions fusion rule has higher performance than the optimum hard detection and the multiple thresholds detection systems. Thus it reduces the loss in performance between the optimum centralized detection and the optimum hard detection systems. Extension of the proposed method to the case of target detection when some probability density functions are known and applications to binary communication systems are also addressed.     

一种基于可传递置信模型的分布智能体决策融合方法*

在分析与研究对抗性多机器人系统决策问题的基础上,提出了一种基于可传递置信模型的多智能体决策融合方法;构建了决策融合体系架构,分别设计了基于证据推理的观测智能体模型,基于TBM的决策智能体模型以及决策融合中心模型,给出了相应的算法。通过在机器人足球中的应用及仿真实验,体现了本方法在对抗性多机器人系统中决策制定的良好性能及效果。     

信息不完全下多属性群决策的证据合成方法

针对不完全信息下多属性群决策问题,分析决策者判断信息的可靠性对群决策结果的影响,提出一种基于相对可靠度的证据合成方法。首先对定量和定性属性值进行归一化处理;然后分析决策者判断信息的相对可靠度,运用Dempster合成法则对所有焦元的基本概率分配值进行计算与合成,并给出证据推理方法的主要步骤;最后给出了一个算例。     

基于证据推理规则的信息融合故障诊断方法

本文针对不确定性故障特征信息的融合决策问题,给出基于证据推理(evidence reasoning,ER)规则的故障诊断方法.首先基于故障特征样本似然函数归一化的方法求取各传感器(信息源)提供的诊断证据;从传感器误差以及故障特征对各故障类型辨别能力的差异出发,给出获取诊断证据可靠性因子的方法;给出双目标优化模型训练得到诊断证据的重要性权重,最后利用ER规则融合经可靠性因子和重要性权重修正后的诊断证据,利用融合结果进行故障决策.该方法继承了Dempster-Shafer证据理论处理不确定性信息融合问题的优点,同时克服了它在实际应用中无法区分证据可靠性和重要性的不足,使得所获诊断证据更为客观、可信.最后,通过在多功能电机转子试验台上的故障诊断实验,验证了所提方法的有效性.     

Embedding intelligent decision making within complex dynamic environments

Decision-making is a complex and demanding process often constrained in a number of possibly conflicting dimensions including quality, responsiveness and cost. This paper considers in situ decision making whereby decisions are effected based upon inferences made from both locally sensed data and data aggregated from a sensor network. Such sensing devices that comprise a sensor network are often computationally challenged and present an additional constraint upon the reasoning process. This paper describes a hybrid reasoning approach to deliver in situ decision making which combines stream based computing with multi-agent system techniques. This approach is illustrated and exercised through an environmental demonstrator project entitled SmartBay which seeks to deliver in situ real time environmental monitoring.     

Data transformation in the evidential reasoning-based decision making process

This paper describes the application of an evidential reasoning (ER)‐based decision making process to multiple‐criteria decision making (MCDM) problems having both quantitative and qualitative criteria. The ER approach is based on the decision theory and the theory of evidence and it uses the concept of ‘degree of belief’ to assess decision alternatives on each attribute. When faced with MCDM problems, evaluation and selection or ranking of alternatives appear to be both challenging and vital to arrive at a rational and robust decision. In the presence of both qualitative and quantitative evaluations in an MCDM problem, it is necessary, when using the ER‐based decision making process, to transform or convert quantitative data into a belief structure using a number of grades so that the converted belief structure and the original quantitative data are equivalent in values or utilities. This paper suggests three scenarios for data transformation and examines how the ranking of decision alternatives is changed when different scenarios of data transformation are used. Ranking of UK universities using the ER approach is illustrated as an example.     

一种基于FCOWA-ER 的SVM多分类方法

支持向量机(SVM) 在处理多分类问题时, 需要综合利用多个二分类SVM, 以获得多分类判决结果. 传统多分类拓展方法使用的是SVM的硬输出, 在一定程度上造成了信息的丢失. 为了更加充分地利用信息, 提出一种基于证据推理-多属性决策方法的SVM多分类算法, 将多分类问题视为一个多属性决策问题, 使用证据推理-模糊谨慎有序加权平均方法(FCOWA-ER) 实现SVM的多分类判决. 实验结果表明, 所提出方法可以获得更高的分类精度.

     

Case‐based approach for supporting strategy decision making

The practice of strategy decision making proves that when the management board is strongly limited in its capacity to take rational actions, specifically in the context of great decision complexity and uncertainty, it is considered good practice to refer to experience through reasoning by analogy. In this paper, we would like to concentrate on supporting strategic decisions in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The complexity of analogy‐based reasoning has its roots in an attempt to solve new problems based on past cases from a different domain, while we will focus on case‐based approach for a single domain. Additionally, we have chosen case‐based reasoning as a suitable decision‐making paradigm because it is corresponds to managers’ decision‐making behaviour. We present the STRATEGOS case‐based reasoning system for supporting strategic decision making by SMEs management boards and then the system evaluation by the dozens of chief executive officers (CEOs) from SMEs is presented. The results of the survey are promising and show the remarkable correspondence of the proposed solution with expectations and strategic behaviour of CEOs.     

实体异构性下证据链融合推理的多属性群决策

针对多属性群决策中可解释性证据融合推理的实体异构性问题,给出了一个实体异构性下证据链融合推理的多属性群决策方法.基于证据推理理论,引入证据链关联的概念,从多数据表提供的数据矩阵中获取可区分的近邻证据集,推导了各数据表的相似度矩阵,并构建半正定矩阵的二次优化模型,共享群决策专家的经验知识.使用Dempster正交规则,论证了异构实体之间可解释性推理中可信度融合的合理性,并使用证据融合规则集成各个数据表的近邻证据中获得的可信度,验证了调和多源异构数据中不一致信息的有效性.通过具有实体异构性的心脏病多决策数据诊断实例说明了方法的可行性与合理性.     

Convex optimization approach to identify fusion for multisensortarget tracking

We consider the problem of identity fusion for a multisensor target tracking system whereby the sensors generate reports on the target identities. Since sensor reports are typically fuzzy, incomplete, or inconsistent, the fusion of such sensor reports becomes a major challenge. In this paper, we introduce a new identity fusion method based on the minimization of inconsistencies among the sensor reports by using a convex quadratic programming formulation. In contrast to Dempster-Shafer's evidential reasoning approach which suffers from exponentially growing complexity, our approach is highly efficient (polynomial time solvable). Moreover, our approach can fuse sensor reports of the form more general than that allowed by the evidential reasoning theory. Simulation results show that our method generates reasonable fusion results which are similar to that obtained via the evidential reasoning theory     

基于Vague集模糊推理的多评价指标模糊决策方法

目前在智能领域中对Vague集的研究已越来越广泛与深入,并运用于决策问题中,有学者已把Vague集用于多评价指标的模糊决策中,但其决策方法在某些时候却难以得到目标。为此,本文提出了一个基于Vague集模糊推理的多评价指标模糊决策方法。在这个方法中,从基于Vague集的模糊推理的观点来看待模糊决策问题。将评价指标和候选方案之间的关系用一组基于Vague集的推理规则来表示,将决策者的要求用一组Vague集来表示,经过模糊推理等过程最后得到决策结果。然后还给出了一个实例说明这种多评价指标模糊决策方法。这个基于Vague集模糊推理的多评价指标模糊决策方法的提出为决策系统提供了一个有用的工具。     

MADM method based on prospect theory and evidential reasoning approach with unknown attribute weights under intuitionistic fuzzy environment

This paper proposes an intuitionistic fuzzy decision method based on prospect theory and the evidential reasoning approach, aiming at analyzing multi-attribute decision making problems in which the criteria values are intuitionistic fuzzy numbers and the information of attributes weights is unknown. Firstly, the measures of entropy and cross entropy are defined for intuitionistic fuzzy sets by taking into consideration the preference of decision maker towards hesitancy degree. Secondly, combined with bounded rationality, the prospect decision matrix is calculated in the light of prospect theory and intuitionistic fuzzy distance. Thirdly, the correlational analyses are conducted between the attribute weights and three indicators which are entropy, cross entropy and prospect value, and optimization models for identifying attribute weights are built under the circumstances that the weights are incomplete and unknown. Finally, in order to avoid the loss of decision making information, the evidential reasoning approach is applied to the calculation of comprehensive prospective values for all alternatives. Following the value calculation, the ranking and the optimal alternative are determined based on the comprehensive prospective values. Illustrating examples demonstrate that the proposed method is reasonable and feasible.     

General Algorithms for Barnett s Structure in Evidential Reasoning

A major problem encountered when applications of the Dempster-Shafer evidence handling methods are contemplated is the computational complexity of the basic operations.Barnett has proposed a linear-time computational technique for use in evidential reasoning.However,it is restricted to the entire orthogonal sum of dichotomous evidential functions.This means that there has bo be a piece of evidence for each contender for the choice being made.This paper presents more general algorithms for combining dichotomous evidential functions.The idea is based on the fact that dichotomous evidential functions egneralize simple evidential functions,and a useful general formula for combining simple evidential functions is available.It is therefore natural to seek general formulae or algorithms for combining dichotomous evidential functions.     

一种基于声纳信息的移动机器人实时导航方法

提出了一种基于声纳信息的移动机器人实时导航方法。首先建立声纳感知数据向地图映射的概率模型,将声纳感知到的环境信息以基于栅格的概率值进行表示,并利用D-S证据理论对其进行数据融合,得到机器人的局部环境。在此基础上,采用基于滚动窗口的方法进行移动机器人路径规划,最终实现实时导航。试验结果表明该方法是可行和有效的。     

Inference versus evidence in reasoning remote sensing recognition,with an information foraging perspective

Spatial, temporal and spectral complexity of remote sensing recognition tasks necessitates the use of Knowledge‐Based Expert Systems (KBS). These systems are composed mainly of evidence and inference mechanisms: either domain‐dependent inference (DDI) or domain‐independent inference (DII). Selection of recognition strategies are typical of information foraging tasks and involve decisions regarding combinations of evidence and inference. This is highly dependent on the expected information gain (e.g. recognition accuracy and reliability) versus the cost/effort of constructing the evidential basis and the inference mechanism. This paper assessed a rule‐based system (DDI) utilizing a sequent‐oriented inference and a DII system utilizing the Dempster–Shafer evidential reasoning method. Quantification of evidence–inference–complexity–effort–accuracy relationships for a case study of land‐use mapping on a wide regional scale allow a preliminary assessment of the relative performance of each strategy. Initial results indicate that a DII‐based recognition system may function significantly better than a DDI‐based system in large areas representing cases that had not been learnt during the evidence‐extraction phase.     

Collective decision making: a great opportunity for constraint reasoning

Collective decision making is an area of increasingly growing interest, mainly due to the rise of many IT-enabled environments where people connect and share information with others. We believe that constraint reasoning can have a major impact in this field, by providing general and flexible frameworks to model agents’ preferences over the alternative decisions, efficient algorithms to compute the best individual and collective decisions, and innovative approaches to deal with missing information. However, in order to do this, we claim that constraint reasoning should increase its efforts to open up to other research areas, such as voting and game theory, multi-agent systems, machine learning, and reasoning under uncertainty.     

一种基于自适应证据推理规则的集成学习方法

当前集成学习中的结合策略难以兼顾各个基学习器之间的信息和模型的可解释性。使用证据推理（evidential reasoning,ER）规则作为结合策略,将各个基学习器结果作为证据参与融合,可以较好地解决以上问题。但传统ER规则的证据参数是单一的,对不同的基学习器模型使用相同的证据参数显然是不合理的。为此,提出一种基于自适应证据推理（adaptive-evidential reasoning,A-ER）规则的集成学习方法,该方法在每次证据融合前对证据的类别进行判断,针对不同的证据类别自适应分配不同的证据参数。通过不同的分类案例表明,该方法与案例中其他方法相比具有更高的分类精度,证明了该方法使证据参数设置更加合理且具有更好的可解释性和泛化能力。