Differential Equation Models for Sharp Threshold Dynamics

Abstract

We develop an extension to differential equation models of dynamical systems to allow us to analyze probabilistic threshold dynamics that fundamentally change system behavior. We apply our novel modeling approach to two cases of interest: a model of cyber infection, where a detection event drastically changes dynamics, and the Lanchester model of armed conflict, where the loss of a key capability drastically changes dynamics. We derive and demonstrate a step-by-step, repeatable method for applying our novel modeling approach to an arbitrary system, and we compare the resulting differential equations to simulations of the system s random progression. Our work leads to a simple and easily implemented method for analyzing probabilistic threshold dynamics using differential equations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA567671

Entities

People

  • Harrison C. Schramm
  • Nedialko B. Dimitrov

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Computational Science
  • Detection
  • Difference Equations
  • Differential Equations
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Equations
  • Infection
  • Markov Chains
  • Mathematical Models
  • Numerical Analysis
  • Operations Research
  • Probability
  • Probability Density Functions
  • Random Variables
  • Simulations
  • Wound Infections

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Computer science
  • Mathematics

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation

Technology Areas

  • Cyber
  • Cyber - Cryptography