Neural Network Aided Glitch-Burst Discrimination and Glitch Classification

We investigate the potential of neural-network based classifiers for discriminating gravitational wave bursts (GWBs) of a given canonical family (e.g. core-collapse supernova waveforms) from typical transient instrumental artifacts (glitches), in the data of a single detector. The further classification of glitches into typical sets is explored.In order to provide a proof of concept,we use the core-collapse supernova waveform catalog produced by H. Dimmelmeier and co-Workers, and the data base of glitches observed in laser interferometer gravitational wave observatory (LIGO) data maintained by P. Saulson and co-Workers to construct datasets of (windowed) transient waveforms (glitches and bursts) in additive (Gaussian and compound-Gaussian) noise with different signal-tonoise ratios (SNR). Principal component analysis (PCA) is next implemented for reducing data dimensionality, yielding results consistent with, and extending those in the literature. Then, a multilayer perceptron is trained by a backpropagation algorithm (MLP-BP) on a data subset, and used to classify the transients as glitch or burst. A Self-Organizing Map (SOM) architecture is finally used to classify the glitches. The glitch/burst discrimination and glitch classification abilities are gauged in terms of the related truth tables. Preliminary results suggest that the approach is effective and robust throughout the SNR range of practical interest. Perspective applications pertain both to distributed (network, multisensor) detection of GWBs, where someintelligenceat the single node level can be introduced, and instrument diagnostics/optimization, where spurious transients can be identified, classified and hopefully traced back to their entry point

A robotic telescope for university-level distance teaching

We present aspects of the deployment of a remotely operable telescope for teaching practical science to distance learning undergraduate students. We briefly describe the technical realisation of the facility, PIRATE, in Mallorca and elaborate on how it is embedded in the Open University curriculum. The PIRATE teaching activities were studied as part of a wider research project into the importance of realism, sociability and metafunctionality for the effectiveness of virtual and remote laboratories in teaching practical science. We find that students accept virtual experiments (e.g. a telescope simulator) when they deliver genuine, "messy" data, clarify how they differ from a realistic portrayal, and are flagged as training tools. A robotic telescope is accepted in place of on-site practical work when realistic activities are included, the internet connection is stable, and when there is at least one live video feed. The robotic telescope activity should include group work and facilitate social modes of learning. Virtual experiments, though normally considered as asynchronous tools, should also include social interaction. To improve student engagement and learning outcomes a greater situational awareness for the robotic telescope setting should be devised. We conclude this report with a short account of the current status of PIRATE after its relocation from Mallorca to Tenerife and its integration into the OpenScience Observatories

Timing Signals and Radio Frequency Distribution Using Ethernet Networks for High Energy Physics Applications

Timing networks are used around the world in various applications from telecommunications systems to industrial processes, and from radio astronomy to high energy physics. Most timing networks are implemented using proprietary technologies at high operation and maintenance costs. This thesis presents a novel timing network capable of distributed timing with subnanosecond accuracy. The network, developed at CERN and codenamed “White- Rabbit”, uses a non-dedicated Ethernet link to distribute timing and data packets without infringing the sub-nanosecond timing accuracy required for high energy physics applications. The first part of this thesis proposes a new digital circuit capable of measuring time differences between two digital clock signals with sub-picosecond time resolution. The proposed digital circuit measures and compensates for the phase variations between the transmitted and received network clocks required to achieve the sub-nanosecond timing accuracy. Circuit design, implementation and performance verification are reported. The second part of this thesis investigates and proposes a new method to distribute radio frequency (RF) signals over Ethernet networks. The main goal of existing distributed RF schemes, such as Radio-Over-Fibre or Digitised Radio-Over-Fibre, is to increase the bandwidth capacity taking advantage of the higher performance of digital optical links. These schemes tend to employ dedicated and costly technologies, deemed unnecessary for applications with lower bandwidth requirements. This work proposes the distribution of RF signals over the “White-Rabbit” network, to convey phase and frequency information from a reference base node to a large numbers of remote nodes, thus achieving high performance and cost reduction of the timing network. Hence, this thesis reports the design and implementation of a new distributed RF system architecture; analysed and tested using a purpose-built simulation environment, with results used to optimise a new bespoke FPGA implementation. The performance is evaluated through phase-noise spectra, the Allan-Variance, and signalto- noise ratio measurements of the distributed signals

Asynchronous Logic Circuits and Sheaf Obstructions

AbstractThis article exhibits a particular encoding of logic circuits into a sheaf formalism. The central result of this article is that there exists strictly more information available to a circuit designer in this setting than exists in static truth tables, but less than exists in event-level simulation. This information is related to the timing behavior of the logic circuits, and thereby provides a “bridge” between static logic analysis and detailed simulation

Efeitos da falha lógica e fuga (dissipação de energia de área) em sistemas criptográficos usando a técnica de clock gating para aprimorar o protocolo na web

The last century has seen an evolution in technology that has improved communication systems and, in general, made life easier for people. Our communication systems have become faster and more dependable as a result of the explosion of gadgets and services. But, these upgrades come at a price. The power consumption is one of the most worrying costs. In recent years, the solution involved installing larger, more powerful batteries—so long as doing so did not limit mobility. Today's economic and environmental problems compel us to consider alternative solutions, like methods for lowering the power consumption of digital devices. This study focuses on using digital circuits, which promise to deliver good energy efficiency and desirable performance at very low voltage savings. Certain digital switches are allegedly redundant and not required for the circuit to function properly, yet they continue to use energy. So, one of the primary issues for low power design is reducing such redundant switches. Subthreshold conduction in digital circuits is typically seen as a “parasitic” leakage in a condition where there should ideally be no conduction. Sub-threshold activities thereby reduce the problem of lowering power consumption, but do so at the expense of system throughput deterioration, fluctuations in system stability and functionality, temperature variations, and most critically, design space utilization. In order to minimize some of these redundant switches and to make circuits more energy-efficient while maintaining functionality, this study suggests two novel techniques. It uses an optimization method based on threshold voltage change to reduce glitch power. A glitch-free circuit netlist is created using an algorithm, while still maintaining the requisite delay performance. Using this approach results in a 6.14% overall reduction in energy consumption.El siglo pasado fue testigo de una evolución de la tecnología que mejoró los sistemas de comunicación y, en general, facilitó la vida de las personas. Nuestros sistemas de comunicación se han vuelto más rápidos y confiables como resultado de la explosión de dispositivos y servicios. Pero, estas actualizaciones tienen un precio. El consumo de energía es uno de los costes más preocupantes. En los últimos años, la solución ha pasado por instalar baterías más grandes y potentes, siempre que esto no limite la movilidad. Los problemas económicos y ambientales actuales nos obligan a considerar soluciones alternativas, como métodos para reducir el consumo de energía de los dispositivos digitales. Este estudio se centra en el uso de circuitos digitales, que prometen ofrecer una buena eficiencia energética y un rendimiento deseable con un ahorro de tensión muy bajo. Se supone que ciertos interruptores digitales son redundantes y no necesarios para que el circuito funcione correctamente, pero continúan consumiendo energía. Por lo tanto, uno de los principales problemas para el diseño de bajo consumo es reducir estos conmutadores redundantes. La conducción por debajo del umbral en los circuitos digitales normalmente se considera una fuga “parásita” en una condición en la que, idealmente, no debería haber conducción. Por lo tanto, las actividades por debajo del umbral reducen el problema de disminuir el consumo de energía, pero lo hacen a expensas del deterioro del rendimiento del sistema, las fluctuaciones en la estabilidad y funcionalidad del sistema, las variaciones de temperatura y, lo que es más importante, la utilización del espacio de diseño. Para minimizar algunos de estos interruptores redundantes y hacer que los circuitos sean más eficientes desde el punto de vista energético manteniendo la funcionalidad, este estudio sugiere dos nuevas técnicas. Utiliza un método de optimización basado en cambiar el voltaje de umbral para reducir la energía de falla. Se crea una lista de conexiones de circuito impecable utilizando un algoritmo mientras se mantiene el rendimiento de retardo requerido. El uso de este enfoque da como resultado una reducción general del 6,14 % en el consumo de energía.O último século assistiu a uma evolução da tecnologia que melhorou os sistemas de comunicação e, em geral, facilitou a vida das pessoas. Nossos sistemas de comunicação tornaram-se mais rápidos e confiáveis como resultado da explosão de aparelhos e serviços. Mas, essas atualizações têm um preço. O consumo de energia é um dos custos mais preocupantes. Nos últimos anos, a solução envolveu a instalação de baterias maiores e mais potentes, desde que isso não limitasse a mobilidade. Os problemas econômicos e ambientais de hoje nos obrigam a considerar soluções alternativas, como métodos para reduzir o consumo de energia de dispositivos digitais. Este estudo se concentra no uso de circuitos digitais, que prometem oferecer boa eficiência energética e desempenho desejável com economia de tensão muito baixa. Certos interruptores digitais são supostamente redundantes e não são necessários para o funcionamento adequado do circuito, mas continuam a consumir energia. Portanto, um dos principais problemas para o projeto de baixo consumo de energia é reduzir esses switches redundantes. A condução abaixo do limiar em circuitos digitais é normalmente vista como uma fuga “parasita” em uma condição em que idealmente não deveria haver condução. As atividades abaixo do limite reduzem, assim, o problema de diminuir o consumo de energia, mas o fazem às custas da deterioração da taxa de transferência do sistema, flutuações na estabilidade e funcionalidade do sistema, variações de temperatura e, mais criticamente, utilização do espaço de projeto. A fim de minimizar alguns desses switches redundantes e tornar os circuitos mais eficientes em termos de energia, mantendo a funcionalidade, este estudo sugere duas novas técnicas. Ele usa um método de otimização baseado na mudança de tensão limite para reduzir a energia de falha. Uma netlist de circuito sem falhas é criada usando um algoritmo, mantendo o desempenho de atraso necessário. O uso dessa abordagem resulta em uma redução geral de 6,14% no consumo de energia