Some Search Problems with False Contacts

James M. Dobbie
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James M. Dobbie: Arthur D. Little, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts

Operations Research, 1973, vol. 21, issue 4, 907-925

Abstract: This paper describes and discusses some search problems, starting with the case of no false contacts, to provide a foundation for developing a search theory in the presence of false contacts. Important properties of the search plan are defined and illustrated by examples. After a general description of false-contact generators and alternative actions that may be used when contacts are made, the problem is formulated for the case in which false contacts are generated by real stationary objects that are investigated when contacted. It is shown that the formulation and solution of the standard optimization functionals are contingent on the number of false targets found, in general, and possibly on the locations and times of contact as well. The optimization functional is difficult to write and more difficult to solve. The formulation is made for the expected-time functional when the number of false targets is bounded. Finally, the paper outlines a procedure for finding the solution and illustrates it with an example.

Date: 1973
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