Applications of computer graphics to aircraft synthesis

The history of the development of an aircraft configuration synthesis program using interactive computer graphics was described. A system based on time-sharing was compared to two different concepts based on distributed computing

Fully Observable Non-deterministic Planning as Assumption-Based Reactive Synthesis

We contribute to recent efforts in relating two approaches to automatic synthesis, namely, automated planning and discrete reactive synthesis. First, we develop a declarative characterization of the standard “fairness” assumption on environments in non-deterministic planning, and show that strong-cyclic plans are correct solution concepts for fair environments. This complements, and arguably completes, the existing foundational work on non-deterministic planning, which focuses on characterizing (and computing) plans enjoying special “structural” properties, namely loopy but closed policy structures. Second, we provide an encoding suitable for reactive synthesis that avoids the naive exponential state space blowup. To do so, special care has to be taken to specify the fairness assumption on the environment in a succinct manner.Fil: D'ippolito, Nicolás Roque. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Natalia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Computación; ArgentinaFil: Sardina, Sebastian. RMIT University; Australi

RECONFIGURABLE COMPUTING: NETWORK INTERFACE CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK (CAN)

In current embedded computer system development, the methodologies have experienced significant changes due to the advancement in reconfigurable computing technologies. The availability of large capacity programmable logic devices such as field programmable grid arrays (FPGA) and high-level hardware synthesis tools allows embedded system designers to explore various hardware/software partitioning options in order to obtain the most optimum solution. A type of hardware synthesis tool that is gaining significant footing in the industry is Handel-C. a programming language based on the syntax of C but able to produce gate-level information that can be placed and routed on to an FPGA. Controller Area Network (CAN) is an example of embedded system application widely used in modem automobiles and gaining popularity in manufacturing environments where high-speed and robust networking is needed. CAN was designed on a very simple yet effective protocol where messages are identified by their own unique identifiers. Message collisions are handled through a non-destructive arbitration process, eliminating message re-transmission and unnecessary network overloading. A project to design and implement of a version of CAN is presented in this dissertation. The project was performed based on hardware/software co-design methodology with the utilisation of the above-mentioned reconfigurable computing technologies: FPGA and Handel-C. This disse11ation describes the concepts of hardware/software co-design and rcconfigurable computing: the details of CAN protocol, the fundamentals of Handel-C. design ideas considered and the actual implementation of the system

Work in progress: introduction of K-map based nano-logic synthesis as knowledge module in logic design course

This work in progress reports an effort of introducing knowledge module regarding novel nano-devices and novel logic primitives in undergraduate logic design class. Our motivation is to make our students aware of fundamental abstracted logical behaviors of future nano-devices, their functionality. This effort would also help the students use their existing knowledge of K-map based logical synthesis into constructing logic blocks for novel devices that uses majority logic as basic construct. Moreover, additional to stimulating our students' interests, we are also augmenting their learning by challenging them to use their existing knowledge to analyze, synthesize and comprehend novel nano-logic issues through the worksheets and lecture modules. Whereas many efforts are focusing on developing new courses on nanofabrication and even nano-computing, we intend to augment the existing standard EE and CS courses by inserting knowledge modules on nano-logic structure for stimulating their interest without significant diversion from the course framework

Integrating a nanologic knowledge module Into an undergraduate logic design course

This work discusses a knowledge module in an undergraduate logic design course for electrical engineering (EE) and computer science (CS) students, that introduces them to nanocomputing concepts. This knowledge module has a twofold objective. First, the module interests students in the fundamental logical behavior and functionality of the nanodevices of the future, which will motivate them to enroll in other elective courses related to nanotechnology, offered in most EE and CS departments. Second, this module can be used to let students analyze, synthesize, and apply their existing knowledge of the Karnaugh-map-based Boolean logic reduction scheme into a revolutionary design context with majority logic. Where many efforts focus on developing new courses on nanofabrication and even nanocomputing, this work is designed to augment the existing standard EE and CS courses by inserting knowledge modules on nanologic structures so as to stimulate student interest without creating a significant diversion from the course framework

Skills and Knowledge for Data-Intensive Environmental Research.

The scale and magnitude of complex and pressing environmental issues lend urgency to the need for integrative and reproducible analysis and synthesis, facilitated by data-intensive research approaches. However, the recent pace of technological change has been such that appropriate skills to accomplish data-intensive research are lacking among environmental scientists, who more than ever need greater access to training and mentorship in computational skills. Here, we provide a roadmap for raising data competencies of current and next-generation environmental researchers by describing the concepts and skills needed for effectively engaging with the heterogeneous, distributed, and rapidly growing volumes of available data. We articulate five key skills: (1) data management and processing, (2) analysis, (3) software skills for science, (4) visualization, and (5) communication methods for collaboration and dissemination. We provide an overview of the current suite of training initiatives available to environmental scientists and models for closing the skill-transfer gap

Supporting reinterpretation in computer-aided conceptual design

This paper presents research that aims to inform the development of computational tools that better support design exploration and idea transformation - key objectives in conceptual design. Analyses of experimental data from two fields - product design and architecture - suggest that the interactions of designers with their sketches can be formalised according to a finite number of generalised shape rules defined within a shape grammar. Such rules can provide a basis for the generation of alternative design concepts and they have informed the development of a prototype shape synthesis system that supports dynamic reinterpretation of shapes in design activity. The notion of 'sub-shapes' is introduced and the significance of these to perception, recognition and the development of emergent structures is discussed. The paper concludes with some speculation on how such a system might find application in a range of design fields