Improving the consensus performance via predictive mechanisms

Considering some predictive mechanisms, we show that ultrafast average-consensus can be achieved in networks of interconnected agents. More specifically, by predicting the dynamics of the network several steps ahead and using this information in the design of the consensus protocol of each agent, drastic improvements can be achieved in terms of the speed of consensus convergence, without changing the topology of the network. Moreover, using these predictive mechanisms, the range of sampling periods leading to consensus convergence is greatly expanded compared with the routine consensus protocol. This study provides a mathematical basis for the idea that some predictive mechanisms exist in widely-spread biological swarms, flocks, and networks. From the industrial engineering point of view, inclusion of an efficient predictive mechanism allows for a significant increase in the speed of consensus convergence and also a reduction of the communication energy required to achieve a predefined consensus performance.

ANALYSIS OF PLANAR MECHANISMS BY COMPUTER SUBROUTINE.

A suite of computer subroutines is described which allows rapid analysis of most types of planar mechanism by the writing of a simple computer programme. The analytical techniques of these subroutines are explained, and a worked example is presented to illustrate the use of the package, and to demonstrate its advantages in the calculation of inertia forces within a mechanism.

DISCUSSION OF MECHANISMS OF ACCELERATED AND RETARDED FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH.

The relevance of the effective stress intensity range to crack growth is considered for constant and for variable amplitude loading. The accelerated and retarded growth associated with simple programmed loadings is reported for two steels and an aluminium alloy. The load interaction effects are due to several competing mechanisms, and not due to the single, popular mechanism of crack closure.

MECHANISMS OF ABRASIVE WEAR IN A BORONIZED ALLOY STEEL.

This paper describes the effects of abrasive hardness and size on the 2-body abrasive wear mechanisms of a boronized low alloy steel. It is found that the wear resistance of the boronized steel is much greater against alumina abrasive than against silicon carbide. This difference in wear resistance is much enhanced when the particle size or the applied load is increased. Scanning electron microscopy of the worn specimens and of the used abrasive papers revealed that the enhanced difference in wear resistance between coarse alumina and silicon carbide papers is due to a change in the wear mechanism produced by silicon carbide papers with increasing abrasive particle size.