A DECENTRALIZED CLOSED-LOOP SOLUTION TO THE ROUTING PROBLEM IN NETWORKS

Abstract Decentralized dynamic routing in networks is considered in the paper. Finite buffers at nodes, stochastic inputs, discrete control and state variables characterize the problem. An information structure of the decision makers is introduced which allows to solve the problem via a static team optimization. Then, on the basis of the existence of a common past information set, the structure of the optimal control strategy is studied and the possibility of using a receding-horizon control scheme is discussed. Finally, stationary infinite-horizon optimal decentralized solutions are sought. A possible procedure to find such solutions is discussed, which is simply based on standard Markov chains properties.