Psiactive Networking for Military Applications - A Predictive Cross-Layer Approach

This paper introduces the concepts for a unique adaptive reasoning-based prediction approach to address the complex problem of network-wide cross-layer control and management of real-time dynamic networks such as mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). Psiactive™ Networking (ΨNet) is network-centric not node-centric. ΨNet embodies a framework, a family of architectures and sets of default algorithms whose purpose is to solve the hard real-world problems of such networks. It is based on the philosophy that adaptive prediction must be the normal mode of a network's operation in order to substantially increase the likelihood of the network correctly responding to events and user demands within operationally-useful time constraints. ΨNet fuses (integrates) key information from multiple network layers (or planes) around a common `Town Center". This paper introduces the default mechanisms for each of ΨNet's four cornerstones and how Psiactive Networking handles the complexities of a network characterized by a large number of nodes and major dynamic parameters (e.g., node motion, multicast group reconfiguration, battery power). Fuzzy logic reasoning techniques are applied to the fused information to support the reliable prediction of future needed network services, resources and the accompanying maintenance of existing and future services/resources. ("Services" includes major components of network services.) Qualitative comparisons are made to the cognitive networking approach presented in [11]. The nature and scope of this paper is similar to that of [11] with extensive experimental results anticipated as future activities.