Showing papers on "Distributed algorithm published in 2001"

Ad hoc positioning system (APS)

Abstract: Many ad hoc network protocols and applications assume the knowledge of geographic location of nodes. The absolute location of each networked node is an assumed fact by most sensor networks which can then present the sensed information on a geographical map. Finding location without the aid of GPS in each node of an ad hoc network is important in cases where GPS is either not accessible, or not practical to use due to power, form factor or line of sight conditions. Location would also enable routing in sufficiently isotropic large networks, without the use of large routing tables. We are proposing APS - a distributed, hop by hop positioning algorithm, that works as an extension of both distance vector routing and GPS positioning in order to provide approximate location for all nodes in a network where only a limited fraction of nodes have self location capability.

Routing with guaranteed delivery in ad hoc wireless networks

Abstract: We consider routing problems in ad hoc wireless networks modeled as unit graphs in which nodes are points in the plane and two nodes can communicate if the distance between them is less than some fixed unit. We describe the first distributed algorithms for routing that do not require duplication of packets or memory at the nodes and yet guarantee that a packet is delivered to its destination. These algorithms can be extended to yield algorithms for broadcasting and geocasting that do not require packet duplication. A by product of our results is a simple distributed protocol for extracting a planar subgraph of a unit graph. We also present simulation results on the performance of our algorithms.

GPS-free positioning in mobile ad-hoc networks

Abstract: We consider the problem of node positioning in ad-hoc networks. We propose a distributed, infrastructure-free positioning algorithm that does not rely on Global Positioning System (GPS). The algorithm uses the distances between the nodes to build a relative coordinate system in which the node positions are computed in two dimensions. The main contribution of this work is to define and compute relative positions of the nodes in an ad-hoc network without using GPS. We further explain how the proposed approach can be applied to wide area ad-hoc networks.

Distributed topology control for power efficient operation in multihop wireless ad hoc networks

Abstract: The topology of wireless multihop ad hoc networks can be controlled by varying the transmission power of each node. We propose a simple distributed algorithm where each node makes local decisions about its transmission power and these local decisions collectively guarantee global connectivity. Specifically, based on the directional information, a node grows it transmission power until it finds a neighbor node in every direction. The resulting network topology increases the network lifetime by reducing the transmission power and reduces traffic interference by having low node degrees. Moreover, we show that the routes in the multihop network are efficient in power consumption. We give an approximation scheme in which the power consumption of each route can be made arbitrarily close to the optimal by carefully choosing the parameters. Simulation results demonstrate significant performance improvements.

Power-aware localized routing in wireless networks

Abstract: A cost aware metric for wireless networks based on remaining battery power at nodes was proposed for shortest-cost routing algorithms, assuming constant transmission power. Power-aware metrics, where transmission power depends on distance between nodes and corresponding shortest power algorithms were also proposed. We define a power-cost metric based on the combination of both node's lifetime and distance-based power metrics. We investigate some properties of power adjusted transmissions and show that, if additional nodes can be placed at desired locations between two nodes at distance d, the transmission power can be made linear in d as opposed to d/sup /spl alpha// dependence for /spl alpha/ /spl ges/ 2. This provides basis for power, cost, and power-cost localized routing algorithms where nodes make routing decisions solely on the basis, of location of their neighbors and destination. The power-aware routing algorithm attempts to minimize the total power needed to route a message between a source and a destination. The cost-aware routing algorithm is aimed at extending the battery's worst-case lifetime at each node. The combined power-cost localized routing algorithm attempts to minimize the total power needed and to avoid nodes with a short battery's remaining lifetime. We prove that the proposed localized power, cost, and power-cost efficient routing algorithms are loop-free and show their efficiency by experiments.

A mobility based metric for clustering in mobile ad hoc networks

Abstract: We present a novel relative mobility metric for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). It is based on the ratio of power levels due to successive receptions at each node from its neighbors. We propose a distributed clustering algorithm, MOBIC, based on the use of this mobility metric for selection of clusterheads, and demonstrate that it leads to more stable cluster formation than the "least clusterhead change" version of the well known Lowest-ID clustering algorithm (Chiang et al., 1997). We show reduction of as much as 33% in the rate of clusterhead changes owing to the use of the proposed technique. In a MANET that uses scalable cluster-based services, network performance metrics such as throughput and delay are tightly coupled with the frequency of cluster reorganization. Therefore, we believe that using MOBIC can result in a more stable configuration, and thus yield better performance.

Supporting service differentiation in wireless packet networks using distributed control

Abstract: This paper investigates differentiated services in wireless packet networks using a fully distributed approach that supports service differentiation, radio monitoring, and admission control. While our proposal is generally applicable to distributed wireless access schemes, we design, implement, and evaluate our framework within the context of existing wireless technology. Service differentiation is based on the IEEE 802.11 distributed coordination function (DCF) originally designed to support best-effort data services. We analyze the delay experienced by a mobile host implementing the IEEE 802.11 DCF and derive a closed-form formula. We then extend the DCF to provide service differentiation for delay-sensitive and best-effort traffic based on the results from the analysis. Two distributed estimation algorithms are proposed. These algorithms are evaluated using simulation, analysis, and experimentation. A virtual MAC (VMAC) algorithm passively monitors the radio channel and estimates locally achievable service levels. The VMAC estimates key MAC level statistics related to service quality such as delay, delay variation, packet collision, and packet loss. We show the efficiency of the VMAC algorithm through simulation and consider significantly overlapping cells and highly bursty traffic mixes. In addition, we implement and evaluate the VMAC in an experimental differentiated services wireless testbed. A virtual source (VS) algorithm utilizes the VMAC to estimate application-level service quality. The VS allows application parameters to be tuned in response to dynamic channel conditions based on "virtual delay curves." We demonstrate through simulation that when these distributed victual algorithms are applied to the admission control of the radio channel then a globally stable state can be maintained without the need for complex centralized radio resource management.

Low power distributed MAC for ad hoc sensor radio networks

Abstract: Targeted at multi-hop wireless sensor networks, a set of low power MAC design principles have been proposed, and a novel ultra-low power MAC is designed to be distributed in nature to support scalability, survivability and adaptability requirements. Simple CSMA and spread spectrum techniques are combined to trade off bandwidth and power efficiency. A distributed algorithm is used to do dynamic channel assignment. A novel wake-up radio scheme is incorporated to take advantage of new radio technologies. The notion of mobility awareness is introduced into an adaptive protocol to reduce network maintenance overhead. The resulting protocol shows much higher power efficiency for typical sensor network applications.

Iterative construction of optimum signature sequence sets in synchronous CDMA systems

Abstract: Optimum signature sequence sets that maximize the capacity of single-cell synchronous code division multiple access (CDMA) systems have been identified. Optimum signature sequences minimize the total squared correlation (TSC); they form a set of orthogonal sequences, if the number of users is less than or equal to the processing gain, and a set of Welch (1994) bound equality (WBE) sequences, otherwise. We present an algorithm where users update their transmitter signature sequences sequentially, in a distributed fashion, by using available receiver measurements. We show that each update decreases the TSC of the set, and produces better signature sequence sets progressively. We prove that the algorithm converges to a set of orthogonal signature sequences when the number of users is less than or equal to the processing gain. We observe and conjecture that the algorithm converges to a WBE set when the number of users is greater than the processing gain. At each step, the algorithm replaces one signature sequence from the set with the normalized minimum mean squared error (MMSE) receiver corresponding to that signature sequence. Since the MMSE filter can be obtained by a distributed algorithm for each user, the proposed algorithm is amenable to distributed implementation.

Localized algorithms in wireless ad-hoc networks: location discovery and sensor exposure

Abstract: The development of practical, localization algorithms is probably the most needed and most challenging task in wireless ad-hoc sensor networks (WASNs). Localized algorithms are a special type of distributed algorithms where only a subset of nodes in the WASN participate in sensing, communication, and computation. We have developed a generic localized algorithm for solving optimization problems in wireless ad-hoc networks that has five components: (i) data acquisition mechanism, (ii) optimization mechanism, (iii) search expansion rules, (iv) bounding conditions and (v) termination rules. the main idea is to request and process data only locally and only from nodes who are likely to contribute to rapid formation of the final solution. The approach enables two types of optimization: The first, guarantees the fraction of nodes that are contacted while optimizing for solution quality. The second, provides guarantees on solution qualities while minimizing the number of nodes that are contacted and/or amount of communication. The localized optimization approach is applied to two fundamental problems in sensor networks: location discovery and exposure-based coverage. We demonstrate its effective-ness on a number of examples

Distributed Systems for System Architects

Abstract: The distributed systems architect assembles pieces of hardware that are at least as large as a computer or a network router, and assigns pieces of software that are self-contained - such as Java applets - to those hardware components. As system complexity, size and diversity grow, the probability of inconsistency, unreliability, non-responsiveness and insecurity, increases. It is absolutely necessary for distributed systems architects to understand the management of such complex systems. Distributed Systems for System Architects addresses these issues.

Utility-based power control in cellular wireless systems

Abstract: Distributed power control algorithms for systems with hard SIR constraints may diverge when infeasibility arises. We present a power control framework called utility-based power control (UBPC) by reformulating the problem using a softened SIR requirement (utility) and adding a penalty on power consumption (cost). Under this framework, the goal is to maximize the net utility, defined as utility minus cost. Although UBPC is still non-cooperative and distributed in nature, some degree of cooperation emerges: a user will automatically decrease its target SIR (and may even turn off transmission) when it senses that traffic congestion is building up. This framework enables us to improve the system convergence and to satisfy heterogeneous service requirements (such as delay and bit error rate) for integrated networks with both voice users and data users. Fairness, adaptiveness, and a high degree of flexibility can be achieved by properly tuning parameters in UBPC.

Some simple distributed algorithms for sparse networks

Abstract: We give simple, deterministic, distributed algorithms for computing maximal matchings, maximal independent sets and colourings. We show that edge colourings with at most 2Δ-1 colours, and maximal matchings can be computed within O(log* n + Δ) deterministic rounds, where Δ is the maximum degree of the network. We also show how to find maximal independent sets and (Δ + 1)-vertex colourings within O(log* n + Δ2) deterministic rounds. All hidden constants are very small and the algorithms are very simple.

Load-balancing routing for wireless access networks

Abstract: The widespread use of wireless devices presents new challenges for network operators, who need to provide service to ever larger numbers of mobile end users, while ensuring quality-of-service guarantees. We describe a new distributed routing algorithm that performs dynamic load-balancing for wireless access networks. The algorithm constructs a load-balanced backbone tree, which simplifies routing and avoids per-destination state for routing and per-flow state for QoS reservations. We evaluate the performance of the algorithm using several metrics including adaptation to mobility, degree of load-balance, bandwidth blocking rate, and convergence speed. We find that the algorithm achieves better network utilization by lowering bandwidth blocking rates than other methods.

Lightweight probabilistic broadcast

Abstract: The growing interest in peer-to-peer applications has underlined the importance of scalability in modern distributed systems. Not surprisingly, much research effort has been invested in gossip-based broadcast protocols. These trade the traditional strong reliability guarantees against very good "scalability" properties. Scalability is in that context usually expressed in terms of throughput and delivery latency, but there is only little work on how to reduce the overhead of membership management on a large scale. The paper presents Lightweight Probabilistic Broadcast (lpbcast), a novel gossip-based broadcast algorithm which preserves the inherent throughput scalability of traditional gossip-based algorithms and adds a notion of membership management scalability: every process only knows a random subset of fixed size of the processes in the system. We formally analyze our broadcast algorithm in terms of scalability with respect to the size of individual views, and compare the analytical results both with simulations and concrete measurements.

The BG distributed simulation algorithm

Abstract: We present a shared memory algorithm that allows a set of f+1 processes to wait-free “simulate” a larger system of n processes, that may also exhibit up to f stopping failures.

Optimization based rate control for multirate multicast sessions

Abstract: Multirate multicasting, where the receivers of a multicast group can receive service at different rates, is an efficient mode of data delivery for many real-time applications. We address the problem of achieving rates that maximize the total receiver utility for multirate multicast sessions. This problem not only takes into account the heterogeneity in user requirements, but also provides a unified framework for diverse fairness objectives. We propose two algorithms and prove that they converge to the optimal rates for this problem. The algorithms are distributed and scalable, and do not require the network to know the receiver utilities. We discuss how these algorithms can be implemented in a real network, and also demonstrate their convergence through simulation experiments.

A Mutual Exclusion Algorithm for Ad Hoc Mobile Networks

Abstract: A fault-tolerant distributed mutual exclusion algorithm that adjusts to node mobility is presented, along with proof of correctness and simulation results. The algorithm requires nodes to communicate with only their current neighbors, making it well-suited to the ad hoc environment. Experimental results indicate that adaptation to mobility can improve performance over that of similar non-adaptive algorithms when nodes are mobile.

An efficient distributed algorithm for constructing small dominating sets

Abstract: The dominating set problem asks for a small subset D of nodes in a graph such that every node is either in D or adjacent to a node in D. This problem arises in a number of distributed network applications, where it is important to locate a small number of centers in the network such that every node is nearby at least one center. Finding a dominating set of minimum size is NP-complete, and the best known approximation is logarithmic in the maximum degree of the graph and is provided by the same simple greedy approach that gives the well-known logarithmic approximation result for the closely related set cover problem.We describe and analyze new randomized distributed algorithms for the dominating set problem that run in polylogarithmic time, independent of the diameter of the network, and that return a dominating set of size within a logarithmic factor from optimal, with high probability. In particular, our best algorithm runs in O(log n log Δ) rounds with high probability, where n is the number of nodes, Δ is one plus the maximum degree of any node, and each round involves a constant number of message exchanges among any two neighbors; the size of the dominating set obtained is within O (log Δ) of the optimal in expectation and within O(log n) of the optimal with high probability. We also describe generalizations to the weighted case and the case of multiple covering requirements.

Specifying and using a partitionable group communication service

Abstract: Group communication services are becoming accepted as effective building blocks for the construction of fault-tolerant distributed applications. Many specifications for group communication services have been proposed. However, there is still no agreement about what these specifications should say, especially in cases where the services are partitionable, i.e., where communication failures may lead to simultaneous creation of groups with disjoint memberships, such that each group is unware of the existence of any other group. In this paper, we present a new, succinct specification for a view-oriented partitionable group communication service. The service associates each message with a particular view of the group membership. All send and receive events for a message occur within the associated view. The service provides a total order on the messages within each view, and each processor receives a prefix of this order. Our specification separates safety requirements from performance and fault-tolerance requirements. The safety requirements are expressed by an abstract, global state machine. To present the performance and fault-tolerance requirements, we include failure-status input actions in the specification; we then give properties saying that consensus on the view and timely message delivery are guaranteed in an execution provided that the execution stabilizes to a situation in which the failure-status stops changing and corresponds to consistently partioned system. Because consensus is not required in every execution, the specification is not subject to the existing impossibility results for partionable systems. Our specification has a simple implementation, based on the membership algorithm of Christian and Schmuck. We show the utility of the specification by constructing an ordered-broadcast application, using an algorithm (based on algorithms of Amir, Dolev, Keidar, and others) that reconciles information derived from different instantiations of the group. The application manages the view-change activity to build a shared sequence of messages, i.e., the per-view total orders of the group service are combined to give a universal total order. We prove the correctness and analyze the performance and fault-tolerance of the resulting application.

The Wakeup Problem in Synchronous Broadcast Systems

Abstract: This paper studies the differences between two levels of synchronization in a distributed broadcast system (or a multiple-access channel). In the globally synchronous model, all processors have access to a global clock. In the locally synchronous model, processors have local clocks ticking at the same rate, but each clock starts individually when the processor wakes up. We consider the fundamental problem of waking up all n processors of a completely connected broadcast system. Some processors wake up spontaneously, while others have to be woken up. Only awake processors can send messages; a sleeping processor is woken up upon hearing a message. The processors hear a message in a given round if and only if exactly one processor sends a message in that round. Our goal is to wake up all processors as fast as possible in the worst case, assuming an adversary controls which processors wake up and when. We analyze the problem in both the globally synchronous and locally synchronous models with or without the assumption that n is known to the processors. We propose randomized and deterministic algorithms for the problem, as well as lower bounds in some of the cases. These bounds establish a gap between the globally synchronous and locally synchronous models.

Distributed LTL model-checking in SPIN

Abstract: In this paper we propose a distributed algorithm for model-checking LTL. In particular, we explore the possibility of performing nested depth-first search algorithm in distributed SPIN. A distributed version of the algorithm is presented, and its complexity is discussed.

A Dynamic Distributed Constraint Satisfaction Approach to Resource Allocation

Abstract: In distributed resource allocation a set of agents must assign their resources to a set of tasks. This problem arises in many real-world domains such as disaster rescue, hospital scheduling and the domain described in this paper: distributed sensor networks. Despite the variety of approaches proposed for distributed resource allocation, a systematic formalization of the problem and a general solution strategy are missing. This paper takes a step towards this goal by proposing a formalization of distributed resource allocation that represents both dynamic and distributed aspects of the problem and a general solution strategy that uses distributed constraint satisfaction techniques. This paper defines the notion of Dynamic Distributed Constraint Satisfaction Problem (DyDCSP) and proposes two generalized mappings from distributed resource allocation to DyDCSP, each proven to correctly perform resource allocation problems of specific difficulty and this theoretical result is verified in practice by an implementation on a real-world distributed sensor network.

Neko: a single environment to simulate and prototype distributed algorithms

Abstract: Designing, tuning, and analyzing the performance of distributed algorithms and protocols are complex tasks. A major factor that contributes to this complexity is the fact that there is no single environment to support all phases of the development of a distributed algorithm. This paper presents Neko, an easy to use Java platform that provides a uniform and extensible environment for the various phases of algorithm design and performance evaluation: prototyping, tuning, simulation, deployment, etc.

Routing in distributed networks: overview and open problems

Abstract: with group communication primitives. The proceedings of the conference were published by Springer in LNCS number 1914. They were edited by Maurice Herlihy who also chaired the program committee. Most of us found time outside of the technical sessions to enjoy Toledo. Angel Alvarez was the local arrangements chair. With the help of his team from the Technical University of Madrid, he made our visit to Toledo particularly memorable. It included a evening of banqueting in Spanish style and a fine afternoon on a guided walking tour of old Toledo. The orga~zizers of DISC 2001 have a tough act to follow. But I hear they are up to the challenge. See you in Lisboa in October.

Self-Repairing Mechanical Systems

Abstract: This paper reviews several types of self-repairing systems developed in the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory. We have developed a modular system capable of “self-assembly” and “self-repair.” The former means a set of units can form a given shape of the system without outside helps the latter means the system restores the original shape if an arbitrary part of the system is cut off. We show both two-dimensional and three-dimensional unit designs, and distributed algorithms for the units.

A self-coordinating approach to distributed fair queueing in ad hoc wireless networks

Abstract: Distributed fair queueing in shared-medium ad hoc wireless networks is non-trivial because of the unique design challenges in such networks, such as location-dependent contention, distributed nature of ad hoc fair queueing, channel spatial reuse, and scalability in the presence of node mobility. In this paper, we seek to devise new distributed, localized, scalable and efficient solutions to this problem. We first analyze an ideal centralized fair queueing algorithm developed for ad hoc networks, and extract the desired global properties that the localized algorithms should possess. We then propose three localized fair queueing models, in which local schedulers self-coordinate their local interactions and collectively achieve the desired global properties. We further describe a novel implementation of the proposed models within the framework of the popular CSMA/CA paradigm and address several practical issues. Our simulations and analysis demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed design.

Optimal allocation of electronic content

Abstract: The delivery of large files to single users, such as application programs for some versions of the envisioned network computer, or movies, is expected by many to be one of the main requirements of communication networks. This requires expensive high bandwidth capacity as well as fast and high storage servers. This motivates multimedia providers to optimize the delivery distances, as well as the electronic content allocation. A hierarchical architecture for providing the multimedia content was introduced by Nussbaumer, Patel, Schaffa, and Sternbenz (1994). They also introduced the trade-off between bandwidth and storage requirements for the placement of the content servers on the hierarchy tree. They found the best level of the hierarchy for the server location to minimize the total of the costs of communication and storage. Their algorithm is centralized. We solve the more general ease where servers can be located at different levels of the hierarchy. Our algorithm is distributed, and each node requires a limited memory capacity and computational power. Results for related approaches to caching design are of higher complexity. Results for related classic operations research problems are for centralized algorithms, mostly linear programming, that are not easy to convert into distributed algorithms. Instead, we observe that the use of dynamic programming is more natural for distributed implementations. For the specific problem at hand, we also managed to find a natural function (a generalization of the problem) that simplifies the combination operation used in dynamic programming. We also show how to map such contemporary problems to the area of classical plant location problems in operations research.

Communication-efficient distributed mining of association rules

Abstract: Mining for associations between items in large transactional databases is a central problem in the field of knowledge discovery. When the database is partitioned among several share-nothing machines, the problem can be addressed using distributed data mining algorithms. One such algorithm, called CD, was proposed by Agrawal and Shafer in [1] and was later enhanced by the FDM algorithm of Cheung, Han et al. [5].The main problem with these algorithms is that they do not scale well with the number of partitions. They are thus impractical for use in modern distributed environments such as peer-to-peer systems, in which hundreds or thousands of computers may interact. In this paper we present a set of new algorithms that solve the Distributed Association Rule Mining problem using far less communication. In addition to being very efficient, the new algorithms are also extremely robust. Unlike existing algorithms, they continue to be efficient even when the data is skewed or the partition sizes are imbalanced. We present both experimental and theoretical results concerning the behavior of these algorithms and explain how they can be implemented in different settings.