Autonomy and Cooperation as Factors of Dependability in Wireless Sensor Network

In the paper we explore relationships between autonomy, cooperation and dependability in wireless sensors network (WSN). We consider WSN as a set of sensors deployed insome area. These sensors must act autonomously and cooperatively to achieve both their particular self-interested and global goals. In proposed approach we determine cooperation and autonomy abstractions and consider them in the context of three basic relations (sub-ordination, tolerance, collision). In such way we expand 2D space (autonomy, cooperation) onto 3D partially or totally ordered relational space. Proposed conceptual framework provides a powerful paradigm to conceive, model, support and manage dynamically organising complex systems.