J4 ›› 2016, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (4): 679-689.doi: 10.1016/S1672-6529(16)60339-6

• 论文 • 上一篇    

Tracking and Sensor Coverage of Spatio-temporal Quantities Using a Swarm of Artificial Foraging Agents

John Oluwagbemiga Oyekan1, Dongbing Gu2, Huosheng Hu2   

  1. 1. School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK
    2. School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
  • 收稿日期:2016-03-16 修回日期:2016-09-16 出版日期:2016-10-10 发布日期:2016-10-10
  • 通讯作者: John Oluwagbemiga Oyekan E-mail:j.o.oyekan@cranfield.ac.uk; oyekanjohn@gmail.com
  • 作者简介:John Oluwagbemiga Oyekan1, Dongbing Gu2, Huosheng Hu2

Tracking and Sensor Coverage of Spatio-temporal Quantities Using a Swarm of Artificial Foraging Agents

John Oluwagbemiga Oyekan1, Dongbing Gu2, Huosheng Hu2   

  1. 1. School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK
    2. School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
  • Received:2016-03-16 Revised:2016-09-16 Online:2016-10-10 Published:2016-10-10
  • Contact: John Oluwagbemiga Oyekan E-mail:j.o.oyekan@cranfield.ac.uk; oyekanjohn@gmail.com
  • About author:John Oluwagbemiga Oyekan1, Dongbing Gu2, Huosheng Hu2

摘要:

Using a network of mobile sensors to track and map a dynamic spatio-temporal process in the environment is one of the current challenges in multi-agent systems. In this work, a distributed probabilistic multi-agent algorithm inspired by the bacterium foraging behavior is presented. The novelty of the algorithm lies in being capable of tracking and mapping a spatio-temporal quantity without the need of machine learning, estimation algorithms or future planning. This is unlike most current techniques that rely heavily on machine learning to estimate the distribution as well as the profile of spatio-temporal quantities. The experimental studies carried out in this work show that the algorithm works well by following the concentration gradient of a dynamic plume created under diffusive conditions. Furthermore, the algorithm is inherently capable of finding the source of a diffusive spatio-temporal quantity as well as performing environmental exploration. It is computationally tractable for simple agents, shown to adapt to its environment and can deal successfully with noise in sensor readings as well as in robot dynamics.

关键词: bioinspired algorithm, artificial foraging swarm, spatio-temporal mapping, bacterium

Abstract:

Using a network of mobile sensors to track and map a dynamic spatio-temporal process in the environment is one of the current challenges in multi-agent systems. In this work, a distributed probabilistic multi-agent algorithm inspired by the bacterium foraging behavior is presented. The novelty of the algorithm lies in being capable of tracking and mapping a spatio-temporal quantity without the need of machine learning, estimation algorithms or future planning. This is unlike most current techniques that rely heavily on machine learning to estimate the distribution as well as the profile of spatio-temporal quantities. The experimental studies carried out in this work show that the algorithm works well by following the concentration gradient of a dynamic plume created under diffusive conditions. Furthermore, the algorithm is inherently capable of finding the source of a diffusive spatio-temporal quantity as well as performing environmental exploration. It is computationally tractable for simple agents, shown to adapt to its environment and can deal successfully with noise in sensor readings as well as in robot dynamics.

Key words: bioinspired algorithm, artificial foraging swarm, spatio-temporal mapping, bacterium