Data ferrying in tactical networks using swarm intelligence and stigmergic coordination

Abstract

Swarming and emergent behaviour techniques can offer simple control schemes for the organisation of many nodes, with little communications overhead and processing time. These mechanisms are robust against node losses, and are able to run on cheap, disposable platforms. For these reasons, we argue that these techniques are well suited to the tactical environment. This paper examines the usefulness of swarming techniques to address data ferrying in fragmented networks to provide delay-tolerant type communications. Simulation results from static, regular and irregular network topologies, and a dynamic topology representing a fictitious amphibious landing scenario show encouraging results in coordinating data ferries in a disconnected environment.