Dynamic Conjectures in Random Access Networks Using Bio-inspired Learning

Abstract: This paper considers a conjecture-based distributed learning approach that enables autonomous nodes to independently optimize their transmission probabilities in random access networks. We model the interaction among multiple self-interested nodes as a game. It is well-known that the Nash equilibria in this game result in zero throughput for all the nodes if they take myopic best-response, thereby leading to a network collapse. This paper enables nodes to behave as intelligent entities which can proactively gather information, form internal conjectures on how their competitors would react to their actions, and update their beliefs according to their local observations. In this way, nodes are capable to autonomously "learn" the behavior of their competitors, optimize their own actions, and eventually cultivate reciprocity in the random access network. To characterize the steady-state outcome, the conjectural equilibrium is introduced. Inspired by the biological phenomena of "derivative action" and "gradient dynamics", two distributed conjecture-based action update mechanisms are proposed to stabilize the random access network. The sufficient conditions that guarantee the proposed conjecture-based learning algorithms to converge are derived. Moreover, it is shown that all the achievable operating points in the throughput region are essentially stable conjectural equilibria corresponding to different conjectures. We investigate how the conjectural equilibrium can be selected in heterogeneous networks and how the proposed methods can be extended to ad-hoc networks. Simulations verify that the system performance significantly outperforms existing protocols, such as IEEE 802.11 DCF protocol and the PMAC protocol, in terms of throughput, fairness, convergence, and stability.