Mission Assured Networking (MAN)

Daniel H. Wagner proposes to explore and develop the method and the mathematics by which information and networks can be dynamically evaluated to minimize the transmission or display of redundant, low-value data while assuring that high-value information and subsystems are available. To do this, we propose to develop a non-probabilistic measure of value that encompasses all possible aggregates of the data and the semantics of the information in the network. We also propose to develop measures of entropy and channel capacity based on this measure similar to those developed by Claude Shannon. What is unique to our approach are the developments of: 1) the axiomatic properties of such a value function that results in intervals for the data valuation rather than a single value, 2) an approach to assigning/determining the value function for a set of data that is easily modified, augmented and auditable and capable of including consensus, and 3) an update and capacity maximization scheme that is based upon a recognized measure of information.