Cooperative problem solving: A Case study of the mobile phone technology

Abstract

A cooperative distributed problem solving (CDPS) system is a distributed network of semi-autonomous processing nodes that work together to solve a single problem [23]. Cellular radio provides mobile telephone service by employing a network of cell sites distributed over a wide area. The mobile phone network communication is a problem well suited to a CDPS approach consisting of a set of interdependent sub problems that arise because of spatial, temporal and functional distribution of data, knowledge and processing capabilities. This research developed the knowledge and reasoning that a loosely coupled network of sophisticated nodes in the mobile phone network needs to cooperate effectively in solving a complex and distributed problem. The mobile phone network being a typical CDPS application area include distributed interpretation, distributed planning and control, cooperating expert systems and computer supported human cooperation. The existing model has a centralized control facility and is prone to failure. We present a model that involves decentralization of the control facilities. Our discussion illustrates how the CDPS strategies and approaches such as cooperation. coordination and negotiation are applicable in the mobile phone networks and the criteria used in choosing the nodes that serve the caller. Nodes are chosen on the basis of their signal strengths and only the node with the strongest signal at a particular instance serves the caller. We conclude that CDPS approaches are very important in the mobile telephony not only because it emphasizes important AI concepts, but also because the ability of the agents to interact is a fundamental requirement in intelligence.