Dynamic sampling policy for detecting a change in distribution, with a probability bound on false alarm

Abstract

We show that if dynamic sampling is feasible, then there exist surveillance schemes that satisfy a probability constraint on false alarm. Procedures are suggested for detecting a change of a normal mean from 0 to a (unknown) positive value. These procedures are optimal (up to a constant term) when the post-change mean is known, and almost optimal [up to an $o(\log(1/\alpha))$ term when the post-change mean is unknown.