This paper has three objectives. The discussion of reliability and Chaos in the general context of reliability theory, including the reliability of Wireless Sensors Network (WSN, e.g., a prognostics sensors network in a PHM system), constitutes the first objective of this paper. Specifically, replacing the constant failure rate model in traditional reliability theory with a time-variant failure function obtained a first-order nonlinear differential equation. This extended model has the exact mathematical form as the familiar Logistic Chaos map model in Chaos theory, which brings up an intriguing question: does Chaos, which is an innate behavior of the Logistic map, have any implication on system reliability? The second objective discusses the WSN reliability and survivability inspired by the analogical similarity between insect population and wireless sensor networks. From the perspective of physical organizations, an insect population (consisting of individuals with limited lifetimes) and a sensor network (consisting of sensor nodes powered by batteries of limited lifetimes) are very similar. Mathematically, the Logistic Chaos model, which was first discovered in the study of insect population dynamics, and our extension of the constant failure rate reliability model are essentially the same - both are the first order nonlinear differential (difference) equations. This suggests that the same model can be used to describe the reliability of wireless sensor networks (WSN). Insects apparently have evolved mechanisms to cope with the natural chaotic dynamics of their populations and avoid becoming extinct. The insect survival mechanisms may provide meaningful insights for managing a sensor network to maximize the network survivability. The third objective of this paper is to suggest that it is possible to take advantages from Chaos dynamics, for enhancing the security of wireless sensor networks. This is based on the recent advances in Chaos synchronization, which provides a simple, deterministic and computationally lightweight, nonlinear encoding/decoding methodology.


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    Title :

    Is Chaos theory relevant to reliability and survivability?


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2009-03-01


    Size :

    385258 byte





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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