435881
Self-Adaptation in Sensor Networks via Code Mutation
9120365
A self-stabilizing algorithm for the maximum flow problem
Summary. The maximum flow problem is a fundamental problem in graph theory and combinatorial optimization with a variety of important applications. Known distributed algorithms for this problem do not tolerate faults or adjust to dynamic changes in network topology. This paper presents a distributed self-stabilizing algorithm for the maximum flow problem. Starting from an arbitrary state, the algorithm computes the maximum flow in an acyclic network in finitely many steps. Since the algorithm is self-stabilizing, it is inherently tolerant to transient faults. It can automatically adjust to topology changes and to changes in other parameters of the problem. The paper presents results obtained by extensively experimenting with the algorithm. Two main observations based on these results are (1) the algorithm requires fewer than n2 moves for almost all test cases and (2) the algorithm consistently performs at least as well as a distributed implementation of the well-known Goldberg-Tarjan algorithm for almost all test cases. The paper ends with the conjecture that the algorithm correctly computes a maximum flow even in networks that contain cycles.
3086074
An Exercise in Fault-Containment: Self-Stabilizing Leader Election
Self-stabilizing algorithms are designed to guarantee convergence to some desired stable state from arbitrary initial states arising out of an arbitrarily large number of faults. However, in a well-designed system, the simultaneous occurrence of a large number of faults is rare. It is therefore desirable to design algorithms that are not only self-stabilizing, but also have the ability to recover very fast from a bounded number of faults. As an illustration, we present a simple self-stabilizing leader election protocol that recovers in O(1) time from a state with a single transient fault on oriented rings. Only the faulty node and its two neighbors change their state during convergence to a stable state. Thus, the effect of a single fault is tightly contained around the fault. The technique for transforming a self-stabilizing algorithm into its fault-contained version is simple and general, and can be applied to other problems as well that satisfy certain properties.
43770248
Self-Stabilizing Algorithms for Finding Centers and Medians of Trees
Locating a center or a median in a graph is a fundamental graph-theoretic problem. Centers and medians are especially important in distributed systems because they are ideal locations for placing resources that need to be shared among different processes in a network. This paper presents simple self-stabilizing algorithms for locating centers and medians of trees. Since these algorithms are self-stabilizing, they can tolerate transient failures. In addition, they can automatically adjust to a dynamically changing tree topology. After the algorithms are presented, their correctness is proven and upper bounds on their time complexity are established. Finally, extensions of our algorithms to trees with arbitrary, positive edge costs are sketched.
17834776
Self-stabilizing algorithms for finding centers and medians of trees
Locating a center or a median in a graph is a fundamental graph-theoretic problem. Centers and medians are especially important in distributed systems because they are ideal locations for placing resources that need to be shared among dierent processes in a network. This paper presents simple self-stabilizing algorithms for locating centers and medians of trees. Since these algorithms are self-stabilizing, they can tolerate transient failures. In addition, they can automatically adjust to a dynamically changing tree topology. After the algorithms are presented, their correctness is proven and upper bounds on their time complexity are established. Finally, extensions of our algorithms to trees with arbitrary, positive edge costs are sketched.
32010004
Binary Self-Stabilization in Distributed Systems
Abstract Dijkstra introduced the problem of self-stabilization in distributed systems as an interesting exercise for achieving global convergence using local actions. In all the papers dealing with self-stabilizing systems so far, it has been assumed that each component machine of the distributed system has at least three states. This paper illustrates that it is feasible to design a self-stabilizing system with two-state or binary machines at the expense of a larger atomicity.
15460911
Polyhedral sampling for multiattribute preference elicitation
A basic requirement for running multiattribute auctions is knowledge of the utility function of the buyer that trades off nonprice attributes against price. We present and study an approach that elicits this preference structure based on a markovian polyhedral sampling scheme called the "Hit-and-Run" algorithm. An advantage of this technique is its relative simplicity - it relies only on matrix algebra as opposed to the use of nonlinear optimization techniques by other methods in the literature. Computational results suggest that this method is fast and accurate.
1283500
GaMa: an evolutionary algorithmic approach for the design of mesh-based radio access networks
Wireless mesh based access networks are destined to play a pivotal role in next generation broadband systems. With the proliferation of mesh networks, a key issue for network designers is the design of an optimal mesh topology which minimizes cost while maintaining carrier-class features. In this paper, we formulate the design of an optimal mesh, taking network deployment cost, topological properties and carrier-grade reliability into account. Next, we present a genetic algorithm based algorithm (GaMa) for mesh topology design. We show that GaMa is capable of determining a generic mesh topology with carrier-class network features. The performance of the algorithm is compared with existing mesh topologies and gives improved results without the constraints of maintaining a regular topology
14429447
iSimBioSys: a discrete event simulation platform for 'in silico' study of biological systems
With the availability of huge databases cataloguing the various molecular "parts" of complex biological systems, researchers from multiple disciplines have focused on developing modeling and simulation tools for studying the variability of cellular behavior at a system level - encompassing the dynamics arising from many species of interacting molecules. In this work, we present a system engineering approach to model biological processes. In this approach, a biological process is modeled as a collection of interacting functions driven in time by a set of discrete events. We focus on the discrete event simulation platform, called "iSimBioSys", which we have developed for studying the dynamics of cellular processes in silico. As a test-bed for studying our approach we model the two component PhoPQ system, responsible for the expression of several virulence genes in Salmonella Typhimurium. We analyzed the effect of extra cellular magnesium on the behavioral dynamics of this pathway using our framework and compared the results with an experimental system. We also analyze the performance of iSimBioSys, based on the model biological system, in terms of system usage and response.
6735470
FraNtiC: A Fractal Geometric Framework for Mesh-Based Wireless Access Networks
The design of the access networks of next generation broadband wireless systems requires special attention in the light of changing network characteristics. In this paper, we present a mesh-based distributed radio access network (RAN) framework for future wireless systems. Using short, high bandwidth optical wireless links to interconnect the various network elements, we identify a generic fractal or self similar structure in the network. A mathematical model for the framework is presented and the benefits of its scale-invariant properties on robustness, reliability and flexibility analyzed. We focus on three design parameters - carrier-class network reliability, network exposure due to failure conditions and system cost. The dynamics of these parameters on our proposed architecture are studied and compared against existing access network topologies like tree/ring and square-grid. The generality and recursive nature of our framework lends itself to be applied in interconnecting various heterogeneous broadband wireless access networks of the future
616417
Synthesis of low power CED circuits based on parity codes
An automated design procedure is described for synthesizing circuits with low power concurrent error detection. It is based on pre-synthesis selection of a parity-check code followed by structure constrained logic optimization that produces a circuit in which all single point faults are guaranteed to be detected. Two new contributions over previous work include (1) the use of a k-way partitioning algorithm combined with local search to select a parity-check code, and (2) a methodology for minimizing power consumption in the CED circuitry. Results indicate significant reductions in area overhead due to the new code selection procedure as well as the ability to find low power implementations for use in power conscious applications.