Multiple Sensor Platform Coordination Using Stigmergy
Abstract
The current investigation explores the use of a biological technique, known as Stigmergy, to coordinate semi-autonomous surveillance platforms during search operations such as in the case of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Stigmergy was recognized and named by French biologist P.P. Grasse in 1959 while studying nest building of termites. He observed that indirect coordination among termites was accomplished through sensing and modification of their environment. The chemicals secreted by each termite during nest building affected the building actions of neighboring termites, resulting in a coordinated building strategy. Stigmergy is not limited to termites. Some species of ants use stigmergy for trail recruitment, where the interactions among foragers are mediated by pheromones they leave as a trail.Beckers et al. 1994 A series of experiments investigates the use of stigmergy to coordinate multiple sensor platforms in a search operation for a stationary, ground target. The purpose of these experiments is to compare the search time of the stigmergic strategy to an independent, uncoordinated strategy and to a mechanically coordinated strategy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA406172
Entities
People
- Barrett F. Richey