Method of improving system performance and survivability through changing function
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsMichael G. Hinchey, Emil I. Vassev
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Abstract
A biologically-inspired system and method is provided for self-adapting behavior of swarm-based exploration missions, whereby individual components, for example, spacecraft, in the system can sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the entire system. The swarm-based system can exhibit emergent self-adapting behavior. Each component can be configured to exhibit self-sacrifice behavior based on Autonomic System Specification Language (ASSL).
Claims20
An autonomic system comprising:
- a plurality of autonomic components, comprising a coordinating autonomic component, a messenger autonomic component, and a plurality of autonomic worker components, each autonomic component of the plurality of autonomic components being programmed to (i) generate signals indicative of one or more triggering events, (ii) send the signals to the coordinating autonomic component, and (iii) decide to change function within the autonomic system based on the occurrence of at least one of the one or more triggering conditions,
- wherein the coordinating autonomic component is programmed to assign programmed tasks and issue instructions to each of the plurality of autonomic worker components, the messenger autonomic component is configured to facilitate communication between the coordinating autonomic component and the plurality of autonomic worker components, each of the autonomic worker components comprises a scientific instrument and is configured to operate the respective scientific instrument, and following at least one or more triggering condition, at least one of the autonomic components of the plurality of autonomic components changes function, where function includes switching off all power and/or operation on a temporary or more likely permanent basis, or relinquishing certain assets including but not limited to power or components or interfaces to other devices.
A method for managing an autonomic system comprising a plurality of autonomic components, the method comprising:
- generating a signal indicative of a triggering condition pertaining to at least one of the autonomic components of the plurality of autonomic components;
- and
- causing each of the at least one or more autonomic components to decide to change function, where changing function comprises the autonomic component to transfer to another function within the autonomic system, where function includes switching off all power and/or operation on a temporary or more likely permanent basis, or relinquishing certain assets including but not limited to power or components or interfaces to other devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.