Title :
Formal approaches to intelligent swarms
Author :
Rouff, Christopher ; Truszkowski, Walt ; Rash, James ; Hinchey, Mike
Author_Institution :
SAIC, McLean, VA, USA
Abstract :
Autonomous intelligent swarms of satellites are being proposed for future space missions. These types of missions provide greater flexibility and the chance to perform more and different kinds of science than traditional single satellite/vehicle missions, but also have complex interactions and behaviors. The emergent properties of swarms make these missions powerful, but at the same time are more difficult to design and assure that the proper behaviors will emerge due to their complexity. We are currently investigating formal methods and techniques for verification and validation of swarm-based missions. The advantage of using formal methods is their ability to mathematically assure the behavior of a swarm, emergent or otherwise. The autonomous nanotechnology swarm (ANTS) mission is being used as an example and case study for swarm-based missions for which to experiment and test current formal methods with intelligent swarms.
Keywords :
aerospace expert systems; artificial satellites; formal verification; intelligent control; autonomous intelligent swarms; autonomous nanotechnology swarm mission; formal methods; formal verification; satellites; space missions; swarm-based missions; Earth; Intelligent agent; NASA; Nanotechnology; Particle swarm optimization; Remotely operated vehicles; Satellites; Space missions; Space technology; Testing;
Conference_Titel :
Software Engineering Workshop, 2003. Proceedings. 28th Annual NASA Goddard
Print_ISBN :
0-7695-2064-2
DOI :
10.1109/SEW.2003.1270725