Using stochastic process algebra models to estimate the quality of information in military sensor networks

Abstract

In a typical military application, a wireless sensor network will operate in difficult and dynamic conditions. Communication will be affected by local conditions, platform characteristics and power consumption constraints, and sensors may be lost during an engagement. It is clearly of great importance to decision makers to know what quality of information they can expect from a network in battlefield situations. We propose the development of a supporting technology founded in formal modeling, using stochastic process algebras for the development of quality of information measures. A simple example illustrates the central themes of outcome probability distribution prediction, and time-dependency analysis.