English

Sentient Networks

adap-org 2007-05-23 v1 Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems q-bio

Abstract

In this paper we consider the question whether a distributed network of sensors and data processors can form "perceptions" based on the sensory data. Because sensory data can have exponentially many explanations, the use of a central data processor to analyze the outputs from a large ensemble of sensors will in general introduce unacceptable latencies for responding to dangerous situations. A better idea is to use a distributed "Helmholtz machine" architecture in which the collective state of the network as a whole provides an explanation for the sensory data.

Cite

@article{arxiv.adap-org/9712004,
  title  = {Sentient Networks},
  author = {George Chapline},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:adap-org/9712004},
  year   = {2007}
}

Comments

PostScript, 14 pages