Revisions to the JDL data fusion model

Abstract

The Data Fusion Model maintained by the JDL Data Fusion Group is the most widely-used method for categorizing data fusion-related functions. This paper discusses the current effort to revise and expand this model to facilitate the cost-effective development, acquisition, integration and operation of multi-sensor/multi-source systems.Data fusion involves combining information -in the broadest sense -to estimate or predict the state of some aspect of the universe. These may be represented in terms of attributive and relational states. If the job is to estimate the state of a people (or any other sentient beings), it can be useful to include consideration of informational and perceptual states in addition to the physical state.Developing cost-effective multi-source information systems requires a standard method for specifying data fusion processing and control functions, interfaces, and associated data bases. The lack of common engineering standards for data fusion systems has been a major impediment to integration and re-use of available technology. There is a general lack of standardized -or even well-documented -performance evaluation, system engineering methodologies, architecture paradigms, or multi-spectral models of targets and collection systems. In short, current developments do not lend themselves to objective evaluation, comparison or re-use. This paper reports on proposed revisions and expansions of the JDL Data Fusion model to remedy some of these deficiencies. This involves broadening the functional model and related taxonomy beyond the original military focus, and integrating the Data Fusion Tree Architecture model for system description, design and development. What is Data Fusion? What isn't?Data fusion is an increasingly important element of diverse weapon, intelligence, and commercial systems. Data fusion uses overlapping information to determine relationships Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

A Data Fusion Perspective on Human Motion Analysis Including Multiple Camera Applications

“…The Joint Directors of Laboratories Data Fusion Working Group currently defines Data Fusion as The process of combining data or information to estimate or predict entity states [23]. This definition is generic enough to cover a wide range of data association and combination problems appearing on different domains.…”

“…The JDL data fusion model, after the 1998 revision [23], proposes five different levels of abstraction where the data fusion functions are accommodated (figure 1. These levels are: Processing at this level usually implies the association of observations to the corresponding responsible targets.…”

Context-based Information Fusion: A survey and discussion

“…In 1998, revisions of the number of and definitions for the ''levels'' were proposed in [49] to (a) provide a useful categorization representing logically different types of problems, which are generally (though not nec-essarily) solved by different techniques and (b) maintain a degree of consistency with the mainstream of technical usage. The pro-posed new definitions are as follows [48]:…”

Intelligent Navigation Information Fusion Using Fuzzy Expert System

“…사람의 의사결정을 도울 수 있는 여러 가지 기술이나 도구 중에서 정보융합이란 기술은 다양한 데이터들로부터 현재의 상황을 인지하고 가까운 미래의 상황을 예측 가능하게 하는 기 술로서, 여러 인공지능 추론 기법들이 복합적으로 이용된다 [6][7][8]. 정보융합은 국방관련 상황인식에서 시작되었으며, 최근 에는 여러 다른 분야에 적용하려는 연구가 진행되고 있다 [9][10][11].…”