27,856 research outputs found
Biology of Applied Digital Ecosystems
A primary motivation for our research in Digital Ecosystems is the desire to
exploit the self-organising properties of biological ecosystems. Ecosystems are
thought to be robust, scalable architectures that can automatically solve
complex, dynamic problems. However, the biological processes that contribute to
these properties have not been made explicit in Digital Ecosystems research.
Here, we discuss how biological properties contribute to the self-organising
features of biological ecosystems, including population dynamics, evolution, a
complex dynamic environment, and spatial distributions for generating local
interactions. The potential for exploiting these properties in artificial
systems is then considered. We suggest that several key features of biological
ecosystems have not been fully explored in existing digital ecosystems, and
discuss how mimicking these features may assist in developing robust, scalable
self-organising architectures. An example architecture, the Digital Ecosystem,
is considered in detail. The Digital Ecosystem is then measured experimentally
through simulations, with measures originating from theoretical ecology, to
confirm its likeness to a biological ecosystem. Including the responsiveness to
requests for applications from the user base, as a measure of the 'ecological
succession' (development).Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure, conferenc
Digital Ecosystems: Ecosystem-Oriented Architectures
We view Digital Ecosystems to be the digital counterparts of biological
ecosystems. Here, we are concerned with the creation of these Digital
Ecosystems, exploiting the self-organising properties of biological ecosystems
to evolve high-level software applications. Therefore, we created the Digital
Ecosystem, a novel optimisation technique inspired by biological ecosystems,
where the optimisation works at two levels: a first optimisation, migration of
agents which are distributed in a decentralised peer-to-peer network, operating
continuously in time; this process feeds a second optimisation based on
evolutionary computing that operates locally on single peers and is aimed at
finding solutions to satisfy locally relevant constraints. The Digital
Ecosystem was then measured experimentally through simulations, with measures
originating from theoretical ecology, evaluating its likeness to biological
ecosystems. This included its responsiveness to requests for applications from
the user base, as a measure of the ecological succession (ecosystem maturity).
Overall, we have advanced the understanding of Digital Ecosystems, creating
Ecosystem-Oriented Architectures where the word ecosystem is more than just a
metaphor.Comment: 39 pages, 26 figures, journa
21st Century Simulation: Exploiting High Performance Computing and Data Analysis
This paper identifies, defines, and analyzes the limitations imposed on Modeling and Simulation by outmoded
paradigms in computer utilization and data analysis. The authors then discuss two emerging capabilities to
overcome these limitations: High Performance Parallel Computing and Advanced Data Analysis. First, parallel
computing, in supercomputers and Linux clusters, has proven effective by providing users an advantage in
computing power. This has been characterized as a ten-year lead over the use of single-processor computers.
Second, advanced data analysis techniques are both necessitated and enabled by this leap in computing power.
JFCOM's JESPP project is one of the few simulation initiatives to effectively embrace these concepts. The
challenges facing the defense analyst today have grown to include the need to consider operations among non-combatant
populations, to focus on impacts to civilian infrastructure, to differentiate combatants from non-combatants,
and to understand non-linear, asymmetric warfare. These requirements stretch both current
computational techniques and data analysis methodologies. In this paper, documented examples and potential
solutions will be advanced. The authors discuss the paths to successful implementation based on their experience.
Reviewed technologies include parallel computing, cluster computing, grid computing, data logging, OpsResearch,
database advances, data mining, evolutionary computing, genetic algorithms, and Monte Carlo sensitivity analyses.
The modeling and simulation community has significant potential to provide more opportunities for training and
analysis. Simulations must include increasingly sophisticated environments, better emulations of foes, and more
realistic civilian populations. Overcoming the implementation challenges will produce dramatically better insights,
for trainees and analysts. High Performance Parallel Computing and Advanced Data Analysis promise increased
understanding of future vulnerabilities to help avoid unneeded mission failures and unacceptable personnel losses.
The authors set forth road maps for rapid prototyping and adoption of advanced capabilities. They discuss the
beneficial impact of embracing these technologies, as well as risk mitigation required to ensure success
Ecosystem-Oriented Distributed Evolutionary Computing
We create a novel optimisation technique inspired by natural ecosystems,
where the optimisation works at two levels: a first optimisation, migration of
genes which are distributed in a peer-to-peer network, operating continuously
in time; this process feeds a second optimisation based on evolutionary
computing that operates locally on single peers and is aimed at finding
solutions to satisfy locally relevant constraints. We consider from the domain
of computer science distributed evolutionary computing, with the relevant
theory from the domain of theoretical biology, including the fields of
evolutionary and ecological theory, the topological structure of ecosystems,
and evolutionary processes within distributed environments. We then define
ecosystem- oriented distributed evolutionary computing, imbibed with the
properties of self-organisation, scalability and sustainability from natural
ecosystems, including a novel form of distributed evolu- tionary computing.
Finally, we conclude with a discussion of the apparent compromises resulting
from the hybrid model created, such as the network topology.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with
arXiv:1112.0204, arXiv:0712.4159, arXiv:0712.4153, arXiv:0712.4102,
arXiv:0910.067
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