This paper develops an architecture for task assignment in wireless sensor networks in support of tactical operations. Our approach is based on a mathematical framework, which, based on multi-attribute utility theory, allows mobile end-users to easily express the value (utility) that they would attach to sensor information based on features associated with the data. We have applied the utility-based architecture framework in the design of a distributed task assignment algorithm for a simple pursuit-evasion (patrol) scenario. Simulation studies based on this scenario show that in terms of mission-level objectives utility-based task assignment can significantly improve upon a baseline solution, in which each sensor indiscriminately reports all data to all available users.
/lp/association-for-computing-machinery/a-distributed-utility-based-architecture-for-task-assignment-in-0rJmR4S8Sd