Resource allocation for a distributed sensor network

In this paper we describe a project undertaken for the Office of Force Transformation (OFT) to investigate alternative resource allocation strategies for America´s armed forces. In particular, OFT is interested in understanding how resource allocation strategies can be used in the context of distributed, network-centric units. To address this problem we have developed a simulation tool using agent-based modeling to explore the emergent properties of a distributed sensor network. We focus on the task of using distributed sensors with varying characteristics and capabilities trying to detect and track the movement of enemy units in an urban environment. The goal of the project is to identify the impact of different resource allocation strategies on the performance of the sensor network.