Goal-Based Planning System for Complex Communication Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mission planning systems face challenges in addressing complex and nonlinear communication constraints, often resorting to approximations or simplifications that result in inaccurate or incomplete solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that iteratively determine actions for multiple entities to achieve a goal while satisfying complex constraints by identifying and addressing constraint violations through remedial actions, such as communication relay placement, using a plan determination module, a plan analysis module, and a remedy determination module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional mission planning systems approximate nonlinear communication constraints with simpler linear constraints or reduce problem size, then the planning problem becomes computationally tractable, but the solution accuracy and completeness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The planning problem is divided into two distinct modules: a plan determination module that generates initial plans without considering complex constraints, and a plan analysis module that evaluates constraint satisfaction. This segmentation allows each module to specialize in one function, improving overall system efficiency while maintaining solution accuracy through iterative refinement.
Solution Approach 2:
The plan determination module performs preliminary planning by generating an initial plan that accomplishes the mission goal before constraint evaluation. This preliminary action separates goal achievement from constraint satisfaction, allowing the system to first ensure mission objectives are met and then iteratively address constraint violations through remedial actions.
2Reliability
If specialist relay robots are deployed to maintain line-of-sight communication, then communication reliability is improved, but the system complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The plan analysis module acts as an intermediary between the plan determination module and the mission execution. It evaluates whether communication constraints are satisfied and identifies violations, then works with the remedy determination module to generate corrective actions. This intermediary approach maintains communication reliability through systematic analysis without requiring complex real-time communication management during plan generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the plan analysis module evaluates constraint satisfaction and feeds information back to the remedy determination module. This feedback mechanism allows the system to iteratively improve plans by identifying and correcting communication constraint violations, ensuring reliable communication without permanently increasing system complexity.
3Speed
If the planning problem size is reduced using receding horizon approach, then computational efficiency is improved, but the ability to satisfy long-term communication constraints deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the planning process into goal-oriented plan generation and constraint-oriented analysis phases. This allows the plan determination module to work efficiently on achieving mission objectives while the plan analysis module separately handles the computationally intensive constraint evaluation, maintaining both speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The plan determination module performs preliminary plan generation focused on mission goals before constraint evaluation. This preliminary action separates the computational tasks, allowing efficient goal-directed planning followed by systematic constraint checking and remediation, ensuring both computational efficiency and complete constraint satisfaction.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for determining actions for entities (4, 6) such that a goal is accomplished constraints are satisfied. The method comprises: determining an initial plan comprising actions that, if performed by the entities (4, 6), the goal would be accomplished; determining that a constraint would not be satisfied if the initial plan was implemented; and iteratively performing steps (i) to (v) until a final plan that accomplishes the goal and satisfies the is determined. Step (i) comprises identifying a constraint that is not satisfied in part of the current plan. Step (ii) comprises determining a remedy that, if implemented, satisfies the identified constraint. Step (iii) comprises updating the goal specification to include the remedy. Step (iv) comprises, using the updated goal specification, determining a further plan that accomplishes the goal and the remedy. Step (v) comprises determining whether or not the further plan satisfies each constraint.