Definitions and terms of reference in data fusion
Résumé
The concept of data fusion is easy to understand. However its exact meaning varies from one scientist to another. A working group, set up by the European Association of Remote Sensing Laboratories (EARSeL) and the French Society for Electricity and Electronics (SEE, French affiliate of the IEEE), devoted most of its efforts to establish a lexicon or terms of reference, which is presented in this communication. A new definition of the data fusion is proposed which better fits the remote sensing domain. Data fusion should be seen as a framework, not merely as a collection of tools and means. This definition emphasizes the concepts and the fundamentals in remote sensing. The establishment of a lexicon or terms of reference allows the scientific community to express the same ideas using the same words, and also to disseminate their knowledge towards the industry and 'customers' communities. Moreover it is a sine qua non condition to set up clearly the concept of data fusion and the associated formal framework. Such a framework is mandatory for a better understanding of data fusion fundamentals and of its properties. It allows a better description and formalization of the potentials of synergy between the remote sensing data, and accordingly, a better exploitation of these data. Finally the introduction of the concept of data fusion into the remote sensing domain should raise the awareness of our colleagues on the whole chain ranging from the sensor to the decision, including the management, assessment and control of the quality of the information. The problem of alignment of the information to be fused is very difficult to tackle. It is a pre-requisite to any fusion process and should be considered with great care.
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