Optimal design of experiments when factors affect detection capability

The configuration of a monitoring network affects the quality of information that is obtained. an important aspect is that some stations in a network may fail to provide data at all. in this work we study the important question of how to take account of detection capability in network configuration. our approach is based on the theory of optimal design of experiments,extended to settings where detection must be considered. we illustrate our ideas by considering how to configure a seismic network that will provide precise estimates of the hypocenters of seismic events. an important consideration is that stations that are too far from the hypocenter may fail to detect the event. our results provide a theoretical basis and practical guideline for configuring such a network. © 2010 pakistan journal of statistics.