Multisensor fusion description using category theory
Steven N. Thorsen, Mark E. Oxley · 2005
Data fusion as a science has been described in the literature in great detail by many authors, particularly over the last two decades. These descriptions are, for the vast majority, non-mathematical in nature and have lacked the symbolism and clarity of mathematical precision. This paper demonstrates a way of describing the science of data fusion using diagrams and category theory. The description begins with a clear definition of what fusion is in a mathematical sense. Then category theory is applied to develop a generic category of object-fusion. Using a simple diagram of a multisensor process, several categories are developed. Fusion rules, called fusors, are described paving the way for development of a theory of optimization of fusors over categories.