| Session: Wireless Technologies/Adhoc Networking & Routing/Net Centric Systems for Tactical Environments
This paper describes the application of the theory of self-criticality to the problem of self-organization in mobile ad hoc networks. It specifically addresses the problem of clustering into optimum size groups using only local information available at the nodes and in selecting clusterheads. Self-organized criticality is defined as the ability of a system to evolve in such a way as to approach a critical point and then maintain itself at that point. This principle has been observed in highly dynamic natural systems such as snow avalanches, forest fires and earthquakes. While seemingly chaotic, these phenomena are actually models of self-organization. Self-critical systems possess the ability to utilize only local state information and local interaction to achieve optimality in global behavior at any system scale. Each unit performs local actions based on its current state and change state based on a few critical thresholds. The local interactions between the units generates a “toppling” effect that stabilizes when a stable state is achieved. This reconfiguration is fast due to processes that canalize the system into a set of stable “attractor” states irrespective of the starting state of the system. The resulting system is robust to failures and highly adaptive to any external changes. Thus self-criticality provides an efficient mechanism for providing scalable system behavior with rapid reconfiguration and low overhead. In this paper, we describe self-organized criticality, identify its key processes and parameters and identify ways to apply them to engineer fault-tolerant and scalable self-organization in mobile adhoc networks. In particular, we present an algorithm that enables fast cluster formation in mobile adhoc networks with minimal overhead and compare its performance to existing clustering approaches. |
| Amit is a Computer Scientist at General Electric Global Research Center in Niskayuna, NY, where he develops innovative technologies for optimizing and managing wireless mobile adhoc networks under funding from Lockheed Martin. His primary research interests are in MANET network management, routing and transport protocols, active networking and self-critical systems theory. He has co-authored a book titled “Active Networks and Active Network Management: A Proactive Management Framework,” published by Kluwer Academic Publishers. Amit's contributions to the areas of wireless adhoc networking and active networks are covered by over 20 patents and publications. Amit can be reached at amit.kulkarni@crd.ge.com. |