Statistical tests of heterogeneity for anisotropic multifractional Brownian fields

In this paper, we deal with some anisotropic extensions of the multifractional Brownian fields that account for spatial phenomena whose properties of regularity and directionality may both vary in space. Our aim is to set statistical tests to decide whether an observed field of this kind is heterogeneous or not. The statistical methodology relies upon a field analysis by quadratic variations, which are averages of square field increments. Specific to our approach, these variations are computed locally in several directions. We establish an asymptotic result showing a linear Gaussian relationship between these variations and parameters related to regularity and directional properties of the model. Using this result, we then design a test procedure based on Fisher statistics of linear Gaussian models. Eventually we evaluate this procedure on simulated data. Keywords isotropy · anisotropy · homogeneity · heterogeneity · increment · quadratic variations · statistical test · anisotropic fractional Brownian field · multifractional Brownian field 1 Introductio