Dynamic hybrid fault models and the applications to wireless sensor networks (WSNs)

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce a new concept termed dynamic hybrid fault models together with the mathematic models and approaches for applying the new concept to reliability and fault tolerance analyses. It extends the traditional hybrid fault models and their relevant constraints in agreement algorithms with survival analysis and evolutionary game theory. The new dynamic hybrid fault models (i) transform hybrid fault models into time and covariate dependent models; (ii) make real-time prediction of reliability more realistic and allows for real-time prediction of fault-tolerance; (iii) set the foundations for integrating hybrid fault models with reliability and survivability analyses by introducing evolutionary game modeling; (iv) extend evolutionary game theory in its modeling of the survivals of game players. The application domain is wireless sensor network (WSN), but the large part of the modeling architecture also applies to general engineering reliability and network survivability.