1. Edition - July 2005
97.90 Euro
2005. 288 Pages, Hardcover
ISBN-10: 0-471-65575-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-471-65575-6 - John Wiley & Sons






Sample Chapter

Short description
A sequel to Mobile Processing in Distributed and Open Environments, this title introduces an extended, universal WAVE-WP model for distributed processing and control in dynamic and open worlds of any natures. The new control theory and technology introduced in the book can be widely used for the design and implementation of many distributed control systems, such as intelligent network management for the Internet, mobile cooperative robots, Rapid Reaction forces, future Combat Systems, robotics and AI, NMD, space research on other planets, and other applications.

From the contents
Preface.

1. INTRODUCTION.

1.1 Toward Coordination and Management of Large Systems.

1.2 Problems of Managing Large Distributed Systems.

1.3 WAVE-WP: Basic Ideas.

1.4 Example: The Shortest Path Problem.

1.5 Example: Distributed Knowledge Representation and Processing.

1.6 System organization as a function of the application scenario.

1.7 Relation to the Previous Book.

1.8 Comparison with Other Works in Related Areas.

1.9 Organization of the Book.

2. WORLDS AND WAVES IN THE WAVE-WP MODEL.

2.1 Physical World.

2.2 Virtual World.

2.3 United Physical-Virtual World.

2.4 Execution World.

2.5 Waves.

2.6 Conclusions.

3. WORLD PROCESSING LANGUAGE.

3.1 Top Language Organization.

3.2 Data Definitions.

3.2.1 General on Constants.

3.2.2 Special Constants.

3.2.3 Vectors.

3.3 Variables.

3.4 Acts.

3.5 Rules.

3.6 Forward Rules.

3.7 Echo Rules.

3.8 Expressions.

3.9 Working with Physical Matter.

3.10 Conclusions.

4. DISTRIBUTED WAVE-WP INTERPRETATION IN DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENTS.

4.1 Doers and Their Networks.

4.2 Wave-WP Interpreter Architecture.

4.3 Track Infrastructure.

4.4 Elementary Operations Involving Multiple Doers.

4.5 More Complex Spatial Operations.

4.6 Other Distributed Interpretation Issues.

4.7 Conclusions.

5. SPATIAL PROGRAMMING IN WAVE-WP.

5.1 Traditional Sequential and Parallel Programming.

5.2 Virtual World Programming.

5.3 Mobility of Doers in Physical World.

5.4 Moving and Acting in Physical World Directly.

5.5 Programming in Integration of Physical and Virtual Worlds.

5.6 Conclusions.

6. EXEMPLARY MISSION SCENARIOS.

6.1 Coordinated Movement of a Group.

6.2 Physical Matter Delivery and Remote Processing.

6.3 Physical World Search Assisted by Virtual World.

6.4 Map-Based Collection of Samples.

6.5 Conclusions.

7. DISTRIBUTED MANAGEMENT USING DYNAMIC INFRASTRUCTURES.

7.1 Distributed Creation and Reconfiguration of an Infrastructure.

7.2 Dynamic Hierarchy Based on Physical Neighborhood.

7.3 Basic Command-and-Control Scenario in WAVE-WP.

7.4 Solving Distributed Management Problems.

7.5 Air Traffic Management in Dynamic Environments.

7.6 Conclusions.

8. MORE CRISIS MANAGEMENT SCENARIOS AND SYSTEMS.

8.1 Region Patrol by Mobile Robots.

8.2 Distributed Dynamic Cognitive Systems.

8.3 Multirobot Hospital Scenarios.

8.4 Future Combat Systems.

8.5 Crises Management in Open Networks.

8.6 Using Global Infrastructures in WAVE-WP.

8.7 Conclusions.

9. CONCLUSIONS.

9.1 Summary of the Main Features of WAVE-WP.

9.2 Some Main Application Areas.

9.3 Final Remarks.

9.4 Future Plans.

APPENDIX: WAVE-WP SUMMARY.

A.1 Extended Language Syntax.

A.2 Compact Syntax Description.

A.3 Permitted Abbreviations.

References.

Index.