A new correlation coefficient of BPA based on generalized information quality

Dempster rule is commonly used to combine evidence from different sensors because of its excellent mathematical properties (commutativity and associativity). However, the conflict coefficient k of this rule cannot be reasonably and effectively express the conflict between evidence, which makes the Dempster rule greatly questioned. To describe in the relationship between evidence (conflict or correlation) more accurately, an evidence correlation coefficient based on generalized information quality is proposed. First of all, according to Deng entropy to measure the uncertainty of each evidence, and combined with the information quality of Yager, new generalized information quality is proposed, which performs well in measuring the basic probability assignment's certainty. Second, the evidence itself is modified by generalized information quality, and the evidence correlation coefficient is calculated based on the Pearson coefficient formula. A new measurement method of evidence conflict based on evidence correlation coefficient is proposed. Finally, combined with the evidence correlation coefficient and DEMATEL model, the evidence is discounted and combined. Numerous examples are used to analyze and compare the evidence conflict coefficient and the evidence combination results. The experimental results demonstrate that, compared with other evidence conflict measurement methods, the evidence conflict coefficient calculated by this method can reflect the difference between evidence more effectively. The result of evidence combination is more reasonable and accurate.

Automated summary

This study introduces an evidence correlation coefficient based on generalized information quality to accurately describe the relationship between evidence and calculate evidence conflicts. The results show that this method effectively reflects the differences between evidence and improves the rationality and accuracy of evidence combination.