Bigraph-ensured interoperability for system(-of-systems) emergence

Abstract

Today’s complexity of distributed application systems, such as dynamic supply networks, requires a system-of-systems (SoS) perspective for effective adaptation and sustainable use. Those systems not only need to be operated as separate systems (e.g., optimizing each transport modality in supply networks), but also are required to capture complex situations as interconnected entity (e.g., adapting a transport chain involving different modalities according to weather conditions). SoS can handle such challenges through emerging behavior, while letting each of the involved systems operate separately. The latter property requires interoperability of systems that can be preserved even in dynamically changing environments applying the theory of bigraphs. Abstract relationships allow not only the representation of dynamic interaction but also the respecification of these systems through behavior adaptations. This abstraction supports cross-system decomposition as well as composition of interaction patterns for the purpose of emergent behavior. We demonstrate the potential of this approach by orchestrating two distributed and independent systems. SoS behavior orchestration enables to directly respond to changes in the application system context.