A new correlation coefficient based on generalized information quality

How to manage conflict is still an open issue in Dempster-Shafer (D-S) evidence theory. The conflict coefficient $k$ in D-S evidence theory cannot represent conflict reasonably, especially sometimes two Basic Probability Assignments (BPAs) are identical but $k$ is not zero. Generalized information quality, as a concept of data fusion, can effectively measure the uncertainty of BPA. However, how to use the generalized information quality to manage conflicts is still an open question. Therefore, this paper proposed a new correlation coefficient based on generalized information quality to manage conflict. This method can better reflect the correlation coefficient between BPA. Numerical examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the correlation coefficient based on generalized information quality. In addition, a weighted average combination rule based on the new correlation coefficient is presented. A numerical example in target recognition is illustrated to show its validity in combining conflicting evidence.