The role of communication systems in smart grids: Architectures,technical solutions and research challenges

The purpose of this survey is to present a critical overview of smart grid concepts, with a special focus on the role that communication, networking and middleware technologies will have in the transformation of existing electric power systems into smart grids. First of all we elaborate on the key technological, economical and societal drivers for the development of smart grids. By adopting a data-centric perspective we present a conceptual model of communication systems for smart grids, and we identify functional components, technologies, network topologies and communication services that are needed to support smart grid communications. Then, we introduce the fundamental research challenges in this field including communication reliability and timeliness, QoS support, data management services, and autonomic behaviors. Finally, we discuss the main solutions proposed in the literature for each of them, and we identify possible future research directions.     

Silence detection for multimedia communication systems

Silence detection and removal is an essential building block of any multimedia video conferencing system. It reduces the bandwidth requirements of the underlying network transport service and helps to maintain an acceptable end-to-end delay for audio. We analyze the requirements for a silence detection algorithm hosted on a multimedia communication system, and propose a novel low-complexity algorithm operating in the non-linear domain. After discussing the constraints which are imposed by the architecture of the system hardware (computer, packet-based network), we show that several recently proposed silence detection algorithms fail to meet all of these constraints. A new approach is then introduced, based on the small- and large-signal behavior of the speech waveform in the -law domain. The new algorithm is compared with a recent design that meets several of our requirements; experimental results indicate that it performs significantly better in the particular environment at hand.     

Abstract communication model for distributed systems

In some distributed and mobile communication models, a message disappears in one place and miraculously appears in another. In reality, of course, there are no miracles. A message goes from one network to another; it can be lost or corrupted in the process. Here, we present a realistic but high-level communication model where abstract communicators represent various nets and subnets. The model was originally developed in the process of specifying a particular network architecture, namely, the Universal Plug and Play architecture. But, it is general. Our contention is that every message-based distributed system, properly abstracted, gives rise to a specialization of our abstract communication model. The purpose of the abstract communication model is not to design a new kind of network; rather, it is to discover the common part of all message-based communication networks. The generality of the model has been confirmed by its successful reuse for very different distributed architectures. The model is based on distributed abstract state machines. It is implemented in the specification language AsmL and is used for testing distributed systems.     

Data management challenges and development for military information systems

This paper explores challenges facing information system professionals in the management of data and knowledge in the Department of Defense (DOD), particularly in the information systems utilized to support command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C/sup 4/ I). These information systems include operational tactical systems, decision-support systems, modeling and simulation systems, and nontactical business systems, all of which affect the design, operation, interoperation, and application of C/sup 4/ I systems. Specific topics include issues in integration and interoperability, joint standards, data access, data aggregation, information system component reuse, and legacy systems. Broad technological trends, as well as the use of specific developing technologies are discussed in light of how they may enable the DOD to meet the present and future information-management challenges.     

Database systems: challenges and opportunities for graphical HCI

Databases and their applications form one of the most important classes of computer systems yet they have received relatively little attention from the HCI community. They have nevertheless spawned some notably innovative user interfaces and it is interesting to examine these in the light of contemporary HCI issues. The paper addresses the relationship between HCI and database systems, reviews some of the major themes running through existing database user interfaces and postulates some issues which are likely to be important to database usability in the future. The underlying argument is that databases are sufficiently different from other classes of application to necessitate a raft of user interface techniques specifically for the needs of database users which would reward increased attention by the HCI community.     

Knowledge work and communication challenges in networked enterprises

A modern enterprise is a heavily wired and networked socio-technical system where multiple components play in symphony to yield a competitive position in the ear of digital economy. While the underling communication and interaction systems facilitate knowledge workers to carry out the enterprise mission and furnish service to the society, there are many other aspects that rather have adverse effects on the productivity of an enterprise and interruption of knowledge workers, which pose a serious scientific challenge. In this paper, we briefly discuss certain challenging aspects of knowledge work and communication processes in networked enterprises that require more profound scientific attention in networked enterprises. This paper introduces the problem, identifies some specific research challenges, and then briefly discusses emerging research that addresses some of these challenges.     

现代通信技术对军队信息安全与保密工作带来的挑战

本文从当前新通信技术在军队的应用方式,分析了军队安全保密工作现状,提出合理针对军队信息安全工作的保密对策,为保障军队信息安全保密提供了合理有效的参考依据。     

CDCSMA-CD communication method for cooperative robot systems

Robot cooperation means 'work-accomplishment action with collaboration of multiple robots by applying shared information, transmitted from a robot to others in a system'. The definition implies that efficiency of a cooperative robot system depends directly upon two main factors, one is communication among the robots and the other is movement of the robots. Robots with appropriate cooperation are expected to work efficiently. The authors propose here an efficient communication method for a cooperative robots system, Code Division Carrier Sensing Multiple Accesses with Collision Detection (CDCSMA-CD). CDCSMA-CD, differing from communication methods in the past, is specifically designed for a cooperative robot system so it can be applied appropriately for both point-to-point and broadcast communication. Within this paper, the principle and hardware structure of the proposed CDCSMA-CD are described. The efficiency of CDCSMA-CD, compared with other communication methods, is then evaluated and discussed.     

Highly available and reliable communication protocols for heterogeneous systems

Existing and legacy software systems are the product of lengthy and individual development histories. Interoperability among such systems offers the support of global applications on these systems. However, interoperability among these heterogeneous systems is hampered by the absence of a reliable communication environment that supports the development of global applications.In this paper, we show how a generic communication framework can serve as a testbed for the specification, verification, and execution of distributed communication protocols. The development of distributed, global concurrency protocols is much simpler than using traditional tools, like RPC (remote procedure call), because our framework provides a high-level communication mechanism that frees the protocol designer from thinking in a message-based style. We present several protocols that are consistent with realistic assumptions about local database systems, and proofs of their correctness and consistency preservation. We also show that the execution of these protocols is fault-tolerant. The distribution of systems can be chosen according to application requirements, without adaptation of protocols. Fault tolerance can be fine-tuned within the framework itself, so that verified protocols do not need modifications in this case either.Besides protocols for traditional transaction processing, we present communication protocols for advanced transaction models that relax one or more of the ACID properties of transactions. These advanced transaction models enable local autonomy and thus are much better suited for heterogeneous environments.     

Cyber-physical systems challenges: a needs analysis for collaborating embedded software systems

Embedding computing power in a physical environment has provided the functional flexibility and performance necessary in modern products such as automobiles, aircraft, smartphones, and more. As product features came to increasingly rely on software, a network infrastructure helped factor out common hardware and offered sharing functionality for further innovation. A logical consequence was the need for system integration. Even in the case of a single original end manufacturer who is responsible for the final product, system integration is quite a challenge. More recently, there have been systems coming online that must perform system integration even after deployment—that is, during operation. This has given rise to the cyber-physical systems (CPS) paradigm. In this paper, select key enablers for a new type of system integration are discussed. The needs and challenges for designing and operating CPS are identified along with corresponding technologies to address the challenges and their potential impact. The intent is to contribute to a model-based research agenda in terms of design methods, implementation technologies, and organization challenges necessary to bring the next-generation systems online.     

Towards sustainable mobility behavior: research challenges for location-aware information and communication technology

Private transport accounts for a large amount of total CO₂ emissions, thus significantly contributing to global warming. Tools that actively support people in engaging in a more sustainable life-style without restricting their mobility are urgently needed. How can location-aware information and communication technology (ICT) enable novel interactive and participatory approaches that help people in becoming more sustainable? In this survey paper, we discuss the different aspects of this challenge from a technological and cognitive engineering perspective, based on an overview of the main information processes that may influence mobility behavior. We review the state-of-the-art of research with respect to various ways of influencing mobility behavior (e.g., through providing real-time, user-specific, and location-based feedback) and suggest a corresponding research agenda. We conclude that future research has to focus on reflecting individual goals in providing personal feedback and recommendations that take into account different motivational stages. In addition, a long-term and large-scale empirical evaluation of such tools is necessary.     

Computational challenges of systems biology

Progress in the study of biological systems such as the heart, brain, and liver will require computer scientists to work closely with life scientists and mathematicians. Computer science will play a key role in shaping the new discipline of systems biology and addressing the significant computational challenges it poses.     

Web-based expert systems: benefits and challenges

Convergence of technologies in the Internet and the field of expert systems have offered new ways of sharing and distributing knowledge. However, there has been a general lack of research in the area of web-based expert systems (ES). This paper addresses the issues associated with the design, development, and use of web-based ES from a standpoint of the benefits and challenges of developing and using them. The original theory and concepts in conventional ES were reviewed and a knowledge engineering framework for developing them was revisited. The study considered three web-based ES: WITS-advisor — for e-business strategy development, Fish-Expert — for fish disease diagnosis, and IMIS — to promote intelligent interviews. The benefits and challenges in developing and using ES are discussed by comparing them with traditional standalone systems from development and application perspectives.     

Temperature-aware computer systems: Opportunities and challenges

Temperature-aware design techniques have an important role to play in addition to traditional techniques like power-aware design and package- and board-level thermal engineering. The authors define the role of architecture techniques and describe hotspot, an accurate yet fast thermal model suitable for computer architecture research.