Distributed Swarm Formation Control via Peer-to-Peer Density Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distributed control methods for multiagent systems lack the ability to enable spatially evolving formations due to the requirement for global information exchange, which is impractical for large numbers of agents and low-bandwidth peer-to-peer communications, and raises data security concerns.
Innovation Solution
A distributed spatial control method using a peer-to-peer communication interface system that allows vehicles to exchange local direction of travel and formation density information, enabling self-navigation commands for vehicles in one, two, or three-dimensional space without the need for global information exchange, utilizing a multiplex information network architecture for formation density control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If global information exchange is implemented to control formation density and orientation, then formation control capability is improved, but communication bandwidth requirements increase and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control information into local peer-to-peer exchanges rather than global broadcasts. Each agent only needs to communicate with its immediate neighbors in the formation, dividing the communication task into manageable local interactions that scale efficiently with group size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the control architecture, where capable agents operate at a higher level by generating formation-level commands (density control, orientation control) that are then propagated through the network layer to individual agents, eliminating the need for all agents to exchange global information directly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If global information exchange is implemented among all agents, then formation control capability is improved, but data security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments information visibility so that not all agents have access to all formation data. Capable agents hold formation-level control information while individual agents only receive relevant navigation commands, limiting the attack surface for data security threats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces capable agents as intermediaries between the formation control system and individual agents. These intermediaries process and filter information, providing formation control capability while preventing direct exposure of sensitive formation data to all agents.
3Adaptability or versatility
If capable agents broadcast global information to all agents, then formation density and orientation control is achieved, but communication bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control architecture into multiple functional layers: formation-level commands generated by capable agents, network-level propagation through intermediate agents, and local execution by individual agents. This segmentation allows density and orientation control to be achieved through efficient hierarchical communication rather than exhaustive broadcasting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a hierarchical dimension to information flow, where formation-level parameters (density, orientation) are decoupled from individual agent navigation commands. This allows capable agents to control formation properties efficiently while individual agents receive only the specific navigation instructions they need, dramatically reducing bandwidth consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for distributed spatial control of a formation of vehicles includes receiving at a first formation vehicle via a peer-to-peer communication interface, direction of travel and formation density information that indicate a course of travel for the first vehicle while travelling as a member of the formation of vehicles. The peer-to-peer formation density information indicates a distance to maintain from other neighboring formation vehicles. A formation vehicle self-navigation command is generated for navigating the first vehicle when travelling in one dimensional, two dimensional, or three dimensional space as a member of the formation of vehicles. The self-navigation command is based on the peer-to-peer direction of travel and formation density information. The direction of travel information is based on locally determined spatial relationships of a portion of the formation of vehicles.