A new method for analysing the equilibrium and time-dependent behaviour of Markovian models

Many large-scale stochastic systems, such as telecommunications networks, can be modelled using a continuous-time Markov chain. However, it is frequently the case that a satisfactory analysis of their time-dependent, or even equilibrium, behaviour is impossible. In this paper, we propose a new method of analyzing Markovian models, whereby the existing transition structure is replaced by a more amenable one. Using rates of transition given by the equilibrium expected rates of the corresponding transitions of the original chain, we are able to approximate its behaviour. We present two formulations of the idea of expected rates. The first provides a method for analysing time-dependent behaviour, while the second provides a highly accurate means of analysing equilibrium behaviour. We shall illustrate our approach with reference to a variety of models, giving particular attention to queueing and loss networks. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mean anisotropy of homogeneous Gaussian random fields and anisotropic norms of linear translation-invariant operators on multidimensional integer lattices

Sensitivity of output of a linear operator to its input can be quantified in various ways. In Control Theory, the input is usually interpreted as disturbance and the output is to be minimized in some sense. In stochastic worst-case design settings, the disturbance is considered random with imprecisely known probability distribution. The prior set of probability measures can be chosen so as to quantify how far the disturbance deviates from the white-noise hypothesis of Linear Quadratic Gaussian control. Such deviation can be measured by the minimal Kullback-Leibler informational divergence from the Gaussian distributions with zero mean and scalar covariance matrices. The resulting anisotropy functional is defined for finite power random vectors. Originally, anisotropy was introduced for directionally generic random vectors as the relative entropy of the normalized vector with respect to the uniform distribution on the unit sphere. The associated a-anisotropic norm of a matrix is then its maximum root mean square or average energy gain with respect to finite power or directionally generic inputs whose anisotropy is bounded above by a≥0. We give a systematic comparison of the anisotropy functionals and the associated norms. These are considered for unboundedly growing fragments of homogeneous Gaussian random fields on multidimensional integer lattice to yield mean anisotropy. Correspondingly, the anisotropic norms of finite matrices are extended to bounded linear translation invariant operators over such fields.

Cortex, cognition and the cell: New insights into the pyramidal neuron and prefrontal function

Arguably the most complex conical functions are seated in human cognition, the how and why of which have been debated for centuries by theologians, philosophers and scientists alike. In his best-selling book, An Astonishing Hypothesis: A Scientific Search for the Soul, Francis Crick refined the view that these qualities are determined solely by cortical cells and circuitry. Put simply, cognition is nothing more, or less, than a biological function. Accepting this to be the case, it should be possible to identify the mechanisms that subserve cognitive processing. Since the pioneering studies of Lorent de No and Hebb, and the more recent studies of Fuster, Miller and Goldman-Rakic, to mention but a few, much attention has been focused on the role of persistent neural activity in cognitive processes. Application of modern technologies and modelling techniques has led to new hypotheses about the mechanisms of persistent activity. Here I focus on how regional variations in the pyramidal cell phenotype may determine the complexity of cortical circuitry and, in turn, influence neural activity. Data obtained from thousands of individually injected pyramidal cells in sensory, motor, association and executive cortex reveal marked differences in the numbers of putative excitatory inputs received by these cells. Pyramidal cells in prefrontal cortex have, on average, up to 23 times more dendritic spines than those in the primary visual area. I propose that without these specializations in the structure of pyramidal cells, and the circuits they form, human cognitive processing would not have evolved to its present state. I also present data from both New World and Old World monkeys that show varying degrees of complexity in the pyramidal cell phenotype in their prefrontal cortices, suggesting that cortical circuitry and, thus, cognitive styles are evolving independently in different species.

A new approach for multi-agent coalition formation and management in the scope of electricity markets

This paper presents a new methodology for the creation and management of coalitions in Electricity Markets. This approach is tested using the multi-agent market simulator MASCEM, taking advantage of its ability to provide the means to model and simulate VPP (Virtual Power Producers). VPPs are represented as coalitions of agents, with the capability of negotiating both in the market, and internally, with their members, in order to combine and manage their individual specific characteristics and goals, with the strategy and objectives of the VPP itself. The new features include the development of particular individual facilitators to manage the communications amongst the members of each coalition independently from the rest of the simulation, and also the mechanisms for the classification of the agents that are candidates to join the coalition. In addition, a global study on the results of the Iberian Electricity Market is performed, to compare and analyze different approaches for defining consistent and adequate strategies to integrate into the agents of MASCEM. This, combined with the application of learning and prediction techniques provide the agents with the ability to learn and adapt themselves, by adjusting their actions to the continued evolving states of the world they are playing in.

On the use of IEEE 802.15.4/Zigbee for time-sensitive wireless sensor network applications

Mestrado em Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores

EMMON: a system architecture for large- scale, dense and real-time WSNs

In spite of the significant amount of scientific work in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), there is a clear lack of effective, feasible and usable WSN system architectures that address both functional and non-functional requirements in an integrated fashion. This poster abstract outlines the EMMON system architecture for large-scale, dense, real-time embedded monitoring. EMMON relies on a hierarchical network architecture together with integrated middleware and command&control mechanisms. It has been designed to use standard commercially– available technologies, while maintaining as much flexibility as possible to meet specific applications’ requirements. The EMMON WSN architecture has been validated through extensive simulation and experimental evaluation, including through a 300+ node test-bed, the largest WSN test-bed in Europe to date

Poster: EMMON: a WSN system architecture and toolset for large-scale and dense real-time embedded monitoring

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have attracted growing interest in the last decade as an infrastructure to support a diversity of ubiquitous computing and cyber-physical systems. However, most research work has focused on protocols or on specific applications. As a result, there remains a clear lack of effective and usable WSN system architectures that address both functional and non-functional requirements in an integrated fashion. This poster outlines the EMMON system architecture for large-scale, dense, real-time embedded monitoring. It provides a hierarchical communication architecture together with integrated middleware and command and control software. It has been designed to maintain as much as flexibility as possible while meeting specific applications requirements. EMMON has been validated through extensive analytical, simulation and experimental evaluations, including through a 300+ nodes test-bed the largest single-site WSN test-bed in Europe.

EMMON: a WSN system architecture for large scale and dense real-time embedded monitoring

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have attracted growing interest in the last decade as an infrastructure to support a diversity of ubiquitous computing and cyber-physical systems. However, most research work has focused on protocols or on specific applications. As a result, there remains a clear lack of effective, feasible and usable system architectures that address both functional and non-functional requirements in an integrated fashion. In this paper, we outline the EMMON system architecture for large-scale, dense, real-time embedded monitoring. EMMON provides a hierarchical communication architecture together with integrated middleware and command and control software. It has been designed to use standard commercially-available technologies, while maintaining as much flexibility as possible to meet specific applications requirements. The EMMON architecture has been validated through extensive simulation and experimental evaluation, including a 300+ node test-bed, which is, to the best of our knowledge, the largest single-site WSN test-bed in Europe to date.

Control of baker’s yeast fermentation: PID and fuzzy algorithms

A MATLAB/SIMULINK-based simulator was employed for studies concerning the control of baker’s yeast fed-batch fermentation. Four control algorithms were implemented and compared: the classical PID control, two discrete versions- modified velocity and position algorithms, and a fuzzy law. The simulation package was seen to be an efficient tool for the simulation and tests of control strategies of the nonlinear process.

Properties of patchy colloidal particles close to a surface: a Monte Carlo and density functional study

We investigate the behavior of a patchy particle model close to a hard-wall via Monte Carlo simulation and density functional theory (DFT). Two DFT approaches, based on the homogeneous and inhomogeneous versions of Wertheim's first order perturbation theory for the association free energy are used. We evaluate, by simulation and theory, the equilibrium bulk phase diagram of the fluid and analyze the surface properties for two isochores, one of which is close to the liquid side of the gas-liquid coexistence curve. We find that the density profile near the wall crosses over from a typical high-temperature adsorption profile to a low-temperature desorption one, for the isochore close to coexistence. We relate this behavior to the properties of the bulk network liquid and find that the theoretical descriptions are reasonably accurate in this regime. At very low temperatures, however, an almost fully bonded network is formed, and the simulations reveal a second adsorption regime which is not captured by DFT. We trace this failure to the neglect of orientational correlations of the particles, which are found to exhibit surface induced orientational order in this regime.

Avaliação do desempenho energético de um grande edifício de serviços existente

Nesta dissertação pretende-se caracterizar o desempenho energético de um grande edifício de serviços existente, da tipologia ensino, avaliar e identificar potenciais medidas que melhorem aquele desempenho, permitindo, em complemento, determinar a sua classificação energética no âmbito da legislação vigente. A pertinência do estudo prende-se com a avaliação do desempenho energético dos edifícios e com o estudo de medidas de melhoria que permitam incrementar a eficiência energética, por recurso a um programa de simulação energética dinâmica certificado – DesignBuilder e tendo em conta a regulamentação portuguesa em vigor. Inicialmente procedeu-se à modelação do edifício com recurso ao programa DesignBuilder, e, simultaneamente, realizou-se um levantamento de todas as suas características ao nível de geometria, pormenores construtivos, sistemas AVAC e de iluminação e fontes de energia utilizadas. Com vista à caracterização do modo de operação do edifício, foi realizado um levantamento dos perfis reais de utilização em termos de ocupação, iluminação e equipamentos para os vários espaços. Foram realizadas medições de caudais de ar novo e da temperatura do ar, em alguns equipamentos e alguns espaços específicos. Foram realizadas medições em tempo real e leituras de contagens da energia eléctrica utilizada, quer em período de aulas quer em período de férias, que permitiram a desagregação das facturas da energia eléctrica que se apresentam globais para o campus do ISEP. Foram realizadas leituras de contagens de gás natural. Em sequência, foi realizada a simulação energética dinâmica com o intuito de ajustar o modelo criado aos consumos reais e de analisar medidas de melhoria que lhe conferissem um melhor desempenho energético. Essas medidas são agrupadas em quatro tipos: - Medidas de natureza comportamental; - Medidas de melhoria da eficiência energética nos sistemas de iluminação; - Medidas de melhoria de eficiência energética nos sistemas AVAC;- Medidas que visam a introdução de energias de fonte renovável; Em sequência, foi elaborada a simulação nominal e calculados os indicadores de eficiência energética com vista à respectiva classificação energética do edifício, tendo o edifício apresentado uma Classe Energética D de acordo com a escala do SCE. Finalmente, foi avaliado o impacto das diferentes medidas de melhoria identificadas e com potencial de aplicação, isto é, que apresentaram um retorno simples do investimento inferior a oito anos, tanto ao nível do desempenho energético real do edifício, como ao nível da sua classificação energética. De onde se concluiu que existe um potencial de 7% de redução nos consumos energéticos actuais do edifício e de 18% se o funcionamento do edifício for em pleno, ou seja, se todos os seus sistemas estiverem efectivamente em funcionamento, e que terá impacto na classificação energética alcançado uma Classe Energética C.

Self-scheduling and bidding strategies of thermal units with stochastic emission constraints

This paper is on the self-scheduling problem for a thermal power producer taking part in a pool-based electricity market as a price-taker, having bilateral contracts and emission-constrained. An approach based on stochastic mixed-integer linear programming approach is proposed for solving the self-scheduling problem. Uncertainty regarding electricity price is considered through a set of scenarios computed by simulation and scenario-reduction. Thermal units are modelled by variable costs, start-up costs and technical operating constraints, such as: forbidden operating zones, ramp up/down limits and minimum up/down time limits. A requirement on emission allowances to mitigate carbon footprint is modelled by a stochastic constraint. Supply functions for different emission allowance levels are accessed in order to establish the optimal bidding strategy. A case study is presented to illustrate the usefulness and the proficiency of the proposed approach in supporting biding strategies. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reliable and Fast Hand-Offs in Low-Power Wireless Networks

Hand-off (or hand-over), the process where mobile nodes select the best access point available to transfer data, has been well studied in wireless networks. The performance of a hand-off process depends on the specific characteristics of the wireless links. In the case of low-power wireless networks, hand-off decisions must be carefully taken by considering the unique properties of inexpensive low-power radios. This paper addresses the design, implementation and evaluation of smart-HOP, a hand-off mechanism tailored for low-power wireless networks. This work has three main contributions. First, it formulates the hard hand-off process for low-power networks (such as typical wireless sensor networks - WSNs) with a probabilistic model, to investigate the impact of the most relevant channel parameters through an analytical approach. Second, it confirms the probabilistic model through simulation and further elaborates on the impact of several hand-off parameters. Third, it fine-tunes the most relevant hand-off parameters via an extended set of experiments, in a realistic experimental scenario. The evaluation shows that smart-HOP performs well in the transitional region while achieving more than 98 percent relative delivery ratio and hand-off delays in the order of a few tens of a milliseconds.

Advanced image processing techniques for detection and quantification of drusen

Dissertation presented to obtain the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering, speciality on Perceptional Systems, by the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculty of Sciences and Technology