Artificial Intelligence for Communications Resource Management

This paper describes the application of artificial intelligence techniques for design and subsequent use in monitoring and control of communications networks. We describe the development of a knowledge base which provides a model of the communications network during the network design process. We then describe utilization of this knowledge base using various artificial intelligence techniques In subsequent operation, monitoring and control of the network. We extend these concepts for applications requiring distributed network monitoring, maintenance and control and propose the use of artificial intelligence techniques for solving the various problems associated with distributed intelligent communicating systems. Managing Future Communications The military uses of communications networks are changing. Figure 1 represents current configuration of most Navy communications systems. These systems are characterized by disjoint networks operating over each RF media. Dedicated networks are running on each media with no inter-communications between the users of the various media. Typically these networks depend on shore stations acting as centralized network monitor and control sites. Current research and development efforts are attempting to increase communications network capacity and enhance survivability by internetting multimedia networks. Figure 2 shows the use of multiple communications media. Programs such as the Communications Support System (CSS) and the Unified Network Technology (UNT) demonstration are laying the groundwork for this communications technology. Central to the design of these multimedia networks is a platform local area network which provides for local connectivity to the various media interfaces (i.e., RF equipments). The site communications controllers orchestrate the internetting of the various RF media. Overall control of the global networks is handled by a manual communications plan (COMMPLAN) which develops procedures and policies for communications resource management. The COMMPLAN is distributed to each site, and the individual platforms are responsible for adhering to the policies and procedures of the plan. As indicated in Figure 2, with fully interconnected networks, more sophisticated techniques of network resource management, monitoring and control must Figure 1. Independent Networks