22 research outputs found
Mapping and Real-Time Navigation With Application to Small UAS Urgent Landing
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) operating in low-altitude airspace require flight near buildings and over people. Robust urgent landing capabilities including landing site selection are needed. However, conventional fixed-wing emergency landing sites such as open fields and empty roadways are rare in cities. This motivates our work to uniquely consider unoccupied flat rooftops as possible nearby landing sites. We propose novel methods to identify flat rooftop buildings, isolate their flat surfaces, and find touchdown points that maximize distance to obstacles. We model flat rooftop surfaces as polygons that capture their boundaries and possible obstructions on them.
This thesis offers five specific contributions to support urgent rooftop landing. First, the Polylidar algorithm is developed which enables efficient non-convex polygon extraction with interior holes from 2D point sets. A key insight of this work is a novel boundary following method that contrasts computationally expensive geometric unions of triangles. Results from real-world and synthetic benchmarks show comparable accuracy and more than four times speedup compared to other state-of-the-art methods.
Second, we extend polygon extraction from 2D to 3D data where polygons represent flat surfaces and interior holes representing obstacles. Our Polylidar3D algorithm transforms point clouds into a triangular mesh where dominant plane normals are identified and used to parallelize and regularize planar segmentation and polygon extraction. The result is a versatile and extremely fast algorithm for non-convex polygon extraction of 3D data.
Third, we propose a framework for classifying roof shape (e.g., flat) within a city. We process satellite images, airborne LiDAR point clouds, and building outlines to generate both a satellite and depth image of each building. Convolutional neural networks are trained for each modality to extract high level features and sent to a random forest classifier for roof shape prediction. This research contributes the largest multi-city annotated dataset with over 4,500 rooftops used to train and test models. Our results show flat-like rooftops are identified with > 90% precision and recall.
Fourth, we integrate Polylidar3D and our roof shape prediction model to extract flat rooftop surfaces from archived data sources. We uniquely identify optimal touchdown points for all landing sites. We model risk as an innovative combination of landing site and path risk metrics and conduct a multi-objective Pareto front analysis for sUAS urgent landing in cities. Our proposed emergency planning framework guarantees a risk-optimal landing site and flight plan is selected.
Fifth, we verify a chosen rooftop landing site on real-time vertical approach with on-board LiDAR and camera sensors. Our method contributes an innovative fusion of semantic segmentation using neural networks with computational geometry that is robust to individual sensor and method failure. We construct a high-fidelity simulated city in the Unreal game engine with a statistically-accurate representation of rooftop obstacles. We show our method leads to greater than 4% improvement in accuracy for landing site identification compared to using LiDAR only.
This work has broad impact for the safety of sUAS in cities as well as Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Our methods identify thousands of additional rooftop landing sites in cities which can provide safe landing zones in the event of emergencies. However, the maps we create are limited by the availability, accuracy, and resolution of archived data. Methods for quantifying data uncertainty or performing real-time map updates from a fleet of sUAS are left for future work.PHDRoboticsUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/170026/1/jdcasta_1.pd
A Hybrid Modelling Framework for Real-time Decision-support for Urgent and Emergency Healthcare
In healthcare, opportunities to use real-time data to support quick and effective decision-making are expanding rapidly, as data increases in volume, velocity and variety. In parallel, the need for short-term decision-support to improve system resilience is increasingly relevant, with the recent COVID-19 crisis underlining the pressure that our healthcare services are under to deliver safe, effective, quality care in the face of rapidly-shifting parameters. A real-time hybrid model (HM) which combines real-time data, predictions, and simulation, has the potential to support short-term decision-making in healthcare. Considering decision-making as a consequence of situation awareness focuses the HM on what information is needed where, when, how, and by whom with a view toward sustained implementation. However the articulation between real-time decision-support tools and a sociotechnical approach to their development and implementation is currently lacking in the literature. Having identified the need for a conceptual framework to support the development of real-time HMs for short-term decision-support, this research proposed and tested the Integrated Hybrid Analytics Framework (IHAF) through an examination of the stages of a Design Science methodology and insights from the literature examining decision-making in dynamic, sociotechnical systems, data analytics, and simulation. Informed by IHAF, a HM was developed using real-time Emergency Department data, time-series forecasting, and discrete-event simulation. The application started with patient questionnaires to support problem definition and to act as a formative evaluation, and was subsequently evaluated using staff interviews. Evaluation of the application found multiple examples where the objectives of people or sub-systems are not aligned, resulting in inefficiencies and other quality problems, which are characteristic of complex adaptive sociotechnical systems. Synthesis of the literature, the formative evaluation, and the final evaluation found significant themes which can act as antecedents or evaluation criteria for future real-time HM studies in sociotechnical systems, in particular in healthcare. The generic utility of IHAF is emphasised for supporting future applications in similar domains
Enhancing discrete-event simulation with big data analytics: a review
This article presents a literature review of the use of the OR technique of discrete-event simulation (DES) in conjunction with the big data analytics (BDA) approaches of data mining, machine learning, data farming, visual analytics, and process mining. The two areas are quite distinct. DES represents a mature OR tool using a graphical interface to produce an industry strength process modelling capability. The review reflects this and covers commercial off-the-shelf DES software used in an organisational setting. On the contrary the analytics techniques considered are in the domain of the data scientist and usually involve coding of algorithms to provide outputs derived from big data. Despite this divergence the review identifies a small but emerging literature of use-cases and from this a framework is derived for a DES development methodology that incorporates the use of these analytics techniques. The review finds scope for two new categories of simulation and analytics use: an enhanced capability for DES from the use of BDA at the main stages of the DES methodology as well as the use of DES in a data farming role to drive BDA techniques
Advanced physics-based and data-driven strategies
Simulation Based Engineering Science (SBES) has brought major improvements in optimization, control and inverse analysis, all leading to a deeper understanding in many processes occuring in the real world. These noticeable breakthroughts are present in a vast variety of sectors such as aeronautic or automotive industries, mobile telecommunications or healthcare among many other fields. Nevertheless, SBES is currently confronting several difficulties to provide accurate results in complex industrial problems. Apart from the high computational costs associated with industrial applications, the errors introduced by constitutive modeling become more and more important when dealing with new materials.
Concurrently, an unceasingly growing interest in concepts such as Big-Data, Machine Learning or Data-Analytics has been experienced. Indeed, this interest is intrinsically motivated by an exhaustive development in both data-acquisition and data-storage systems. For instance, an aircraft may produce over 500 GB of data during a single flight. This panorama brings a perfect opportunity to the so-called Dynamic Data Driven Application Systems (DDDAS), whose main objective is to merge classical simulation algorithms with data coming from experimental measures in a dynamic way. Within this scenario, data and simulations would no longer be uncoupled but rather a symbiosis that is to be exploited would achieve milestones which were inconceivable until these days. Indeed, data will no longer be understood as a static calibration of a given constitutive model but rather the model will be corrected dynamicly as soon as experimental data and simulations tend to diverge. Several numerical algorithms will be presented throughout this manuscript whose main objective is to strengthen the link between data and computational mechanics. The first part of the thesis is mainly focused on parameter identification, data-driven and data completion techniques. The second part is focused on Model Order Reduction (MOR) techniques, since they constitute a fundamental ally to achieve real time constraints arising from DDDAS framework.La Ciencia de la Ingeniería Basada en la Simulación (SBES) ha aportado importantes mejoras en la optimización, el control y el análisis inverso, todo lo cual ha llevado a una comprensión más profunda de muchos de los procesos que ocurren en el mundo real. Estos notables avances están presentes en una gran variedad de sectores como la industria aeronáutica o automotriz, las telecomunicaciones móviles o la salud, entre muchos otros campos. Sin embargo, SBES se enfrenta actualmente a varias dificultades para proporcionar resultados precisos en problemas industriales complejos. Aparte de los altos costes computacionales asociados a las aplicaciones industriales, los errores introducidos por el modelado constitutivo son cada vez más importantes a la hora de tratar con nuevos materiales. Al mismo tiempo, se ha experimentado un interés cada vez mayor en conceptos como Big-Data, Machine Learning o Data-Analytics. Ciertamente, este interés está intrínsecamente motivado por un desarrollo exhaustivo de los sistemas de adquisición y almacenamiento de datos. Por ejemplo, una aeronave puede producir más de 500 GB de datos durante un solo vuelo. Este panorama brinda una oportunidad perfecta a los denominados Sistemas de Aplicación Dinámicos Impulsados por Datos (DDDAS), cuyo objetivo principal es fusionar de forma dinámica los algoritmos clásicos de simulación con los datos procedentes de medidas experimentales. En este escenario, los datos y las simulaciones ya no se desacoplarían, sino que aprovechando una simbiosis se alcanzaría hitos que hasta ahora eran inconcebibles. Mas en detalle, los datos ya no se entenderán como una calibración estática de un modelo constitutivo dado, sino que el modelo se corregirá dinámicamente tan pronto como los datos experimentales y las simulaciones tiendan a diverger. A lo largo de este manuscrito se presentarán varios algoritmos numéricos cuyo objetivo principal es fortalecer el vínculo entre los datos y la mecánica computacional. La primera parte de la tesis se centra principalmente en técnicas de identificación de parámetros, basadas en datos y de compleción de datos. La segunda parte se centra en las técnicas de Reducción de Modelo (MOR), ya que constituyen un aliado fundamental para conseguir las restricciones de tiempo real derivadas del marco DDDAS.Les sciences de l'ingénieur basées sur la simulation (Simulation Based Engineering Science, SBES) ont apporté des améliorations majeures dans l'optimisation, le contrôle et l'analyse inverse, menant toutes à une meilleure compréhension de nombreux processus se produisant dans le monde réel. Ces percées notables sont présentes dans une grande variété de secteurs tels que l'aéronautique ou l'automobile, les télécommunications mobiles ou la santé, entre autres. Néanmoins, les SBES sont
actuellement confrontées à plusieurs dificultés pour fournir des résultats précis dans des problèmes industriels complexes. Outre les coûts de calcul élevés associés aux applications industrielles, les erreurs introduites par la modélisation constitutive deviennent de plus en plus importantes lorsqu'il s'agit de nouveaux matériaux.
Parallèlement, un intérêt sans cesse croissant pour des concepts tels que les données massives (big data), l'apprentissage machine ou l'analyse de données a été constaté. En effet, cet intérêt est intrinsèquement motivé par un développement exhaustif des systèmes d'acquisition et de stockage de données. Par exemple, un avion peut produire plus de 500 Go de données au cours d'un seul vol. Ce panorama apporte une opportunité parfaite aux systèmes d'application dynamiques pilotés par
les données (Dynamic Data Driven Application Systems, DDDAS), dont l'objectif principal est de fusionner de manière dynamique des algorithmes de simulation classiques avec des données provenant de mesures expérimentales. Dans ce scénario, les données et les simulations ne seraient plus découplées, mais une symbiose à exploiter permettrait d'envisager des situations jusqu'alors inconcevables. En effet, les données ne seront plus comprises comme un étalonnage statique d'un modèle constitutif donné mais plutôt comme une correction dynamique du modèle dès que les données expérimentales et les simulations auront tendance à diverger. Plusieurs algorithmes
numériques seront présentés tout au long de ce manuscrit dont l'objectif principal est de renforcer le lien entre les données et la mécanique computationnelle. La première partie de la thèse est principalement axée sur l'identification des paramètres, les techniques d'analyse des données et les techniques de complétion de données. La deuxième partie est axée sur les techniques de réduction de modèle (MOR), car elles constituent un allié fondamental pour satisfaire les contraintes temps réel découlant du cadre DDDAS
Advanced physics-based and data-driven strategies
Cotutela: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya i École Centrale de Nantes.Premi Extraordinari de Doctorat, promoció 2018-2019. Àmbit d’Enginyeria Civil i AmbientalSimulation Based Engineering Science (SBES) has brought major improvements in optimization, control and inverse analysis, all leading to a deeper understanding in many processes occuring in the real world. These noticeable breakthroughts are present in a vast variety of sectors such as aeronautic or automotive industries, mobile telecommunications or healthcare among many other fields. Nevertheless, SBES is currently confronting several difficulties to provide accurate results in complex industrial problems. Apart from the high computational costs associated with industrial applications, the errors introduced by constitutive modeling become more and more important when dealing with new materials.
Concurrently, an unceasingly growing interest in concepts such as Big-Data, Machine Learning or Data-Analytics has been experienced. Indeed, this interest is intrinsically motivated by an exhaustive development in both data-acquisition and data-storage systems. For instance, an aircraft may produce over 500 GB of data during a single flight. This panorama brings a perfect opportunity to the so-called Dynamic Data Driven Application Systems (DDDAS), whose main objective is to merge classical simulation algorithms with data coming from experimental measures in a dynamic way. Within this scenario, data and simulations would no longer be uncoupled but rather a symbiosis that is to be exploited would achieve milestones which were inconceivable until these days. Indeed, data will no longer be understood as a static calibration of a given constitutive model but rather the model will be corrected dynamicly as soon as experimental data and simulations tend to diverge. Several numerical algorithms will be presented throughout this manuscript whose main objective is to strengthen the link between data and computational mechanics. The first part of the thesis is mainly focused on parameter identification, data-driven and data completion techniques. The second part is focused on Model Order Reduction (MOR) techniques, since they constitute a fundamental ally to achieve real time constraints arising from DDDAS framework.La Ciencia de la Ingeniería Basada en la Simulación (SBES) ha aportado importantes mejoras en la optimización, el control y el análisis inverso, todo lo cual ha llevado a una comprensión más profunda de muchos de los procesos que ocurren en el mundo real. Estos notables avances están presentes en una gran variedad de sectores como la industria aeronáutica o automotriz, las telecomunicaciones móviles o la salud, entre muchos otros campos. Sin embargo, SBES se enfrenta actualmente a varias dificultades para proporcionar resultados precisos en problemas industriales complejos. Aparte de los altos costes computacionales asociados a las aplicaciones industriales, los errores introducidos por el modelado constitutivo son cada vez más importantes a la hora de tratar con nuevos materiales. Al mismo tiempo, se ha experimentado un interés cada vez mayor en conceptos como Big-Data, Machine Learning o Data-Analytics. Ciertamente, este interés está intrínsecamente motivado por un desarrollo exhaustivo de los sistemas de adquisición y almacenamiento de datos. Por ejemplo, una aeronave puede producir más de 500 GB de datos durante un solo vuelo. Este panorama brinda una oportunidad perfecta a los denominados Sistemas de Aplicación Dinámicos Impulsados por Datos (DDDAS), cuyo objetivo principal es fusionar de forma dinámica los algoritmos clásicos de simulación con los datos procedentes de medidas experimentales. En este escenario, los datos y las simulaciones ya no se desacoplarían, sino que aprovechando una simbiosis se alcanzaría hitos que hasta ahora eran inconcebibles. Mas en detalle, los datos ya no se entenderán como una calibración estática de un modelo constitutivo dado, sino que el modelo se corregirá dinámicamente tan pronto como los datos experimentales y las simulaciones tiendan a diverger. A lo largo de este manuscrito se presentarán varios algoritmos numéricos cuyo objetivo principal es fortalecer el vínculo entre los datos y la mecánica computacional. La primera parte de la tesis se centra principalmente en técnicas de identificación de parámetros, basadas en datos y de compleción de datos. La segunda parte se centra en las técnicas de Reducción de Modelo (MOR), ya que constituyen un aliado fundamental para conseguir las restricciones de tiempo real derivadas del marco DDDAS.Les sciences de l'ingénieur basées sur la simulation (Simulation Based Engineering Science, SBES) ont apporté des améliorations majeures dans l'optimisation, le contrôle et l'analyse inverse, menant toutes à une meilleure compréhension de nombreux processus se produisant dans le monde réel. Ces percées notables sont présentes dans une grande variété de secteurs tels que l'aéronautique ou l'automobile, les télécommunications mobiles ou la santé, entre autres. Néanmoins, les SBES sont
actuellement confrontées à plusieurs dificultés pour fournir des résultats précis dans des problèmes industriels complexes. Outre les coûts de calcul élevés associés aux applications industrielles, les erreurs introduites par la modélisation constitutive deviennent de plus en plus importantes lorsqu'il s'agit de nouveaux matériaux.
Parallèlement, un intérêt sans cesse croissant pour des concepts tels que les données massives (big data), l'apprentissage machine ou l'analyse de données a été constaté. En effet, cet intérêt est intrinsèquement motivé par un développement exhaustif des systèmes d'acquisition et de stockage de données. Par exemple, un avion peut produire plus de 500 Go de données au cours d'un seul vol. Ce panorama apporte une opportunité parfaite aux systèmes d'application dynamiques pilotés par
les données (Dynamic Data Driven Application Systems, DDDAS), dont l'objectif principal est de fusionner de manière dynamique des algorithmes de simulation classiques avec des données provenant de mesures expérimentales. Dans ce scénario, les données et les simulations ne seraient plus découplées, mais une symbiose à exploiter permettrait d'envisager des situations jusqu'alors inconcevables. En effet, les données ne seront plus comprises comme un étalonnage statique d'un modèle constitutif donné mais plutôt comme une correction dynamique du modèle dès que les données expérimentales et les simulations auront tendance à diverger. Plusieurs algorithmes
numériques seront présentés tout au long de ce manuscrit dont l'objectif principal est de renforcer le lien entre les données et la mécanique computationnelle. La première partie de la thèse est principalement axée sur l'identification des paramètres, les techniques d'analyse des données et les techniques de complétion de données. La deuxième partie est axée sur les techniques de réduction de modèle (MOR), car elles constituent un allié fondamental pour satisfaire les contraintes temps réel découlant du cadre DDDAS.Award-winningPostprint (published version
Adaptive Asynchronous Control and Consistency in Distributed Data Exploration Systems
Advances in machine learning and streaming systems provide a backbone to transform vast arrays of raw data into valuable information. Leveraging distributed execution, analysis engines can process this information effectively within an iterative data exploration workflow to solve problems at unprecedented rates. However, with increased input dimensionality, a desire to simultaneously share and isolate information, as well as overlapping and dependent tasks, this process is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. User interaction derails exploratory progress due to manual oversight on lower level tasks such as tuning parameters, adjusting filters, and monitoring queries. We identify human-in-the-loop management of data generation and distributed analysis as an inhibiting problem precluding efficient online, iterative data exploration which causes delays in knowledge discovery and decision making. The flexible and scalable systems implementing the exploration workflow require semi-autonomous methods integrated as architectural support to reduce human involvement. We, thus, argue that an abstraction layer providing adaptive asynchronous control and consistency management over a series of individual tasks coordinated to achieve a global objective can significantly improve data exploration effectiveness and efficiency. This thesis introduces methodologies which autonomously coordinate distributed execution at a lower level in order to synchronize multiple efforts as part of a common goal. We demonstrate the impact on data exploration through serverless simulation ensemble management and multi-model machine learning by showing improved performance and reduced resource utilization enabling a more productive semi-autonomous exploration workflow. We focus on the specific genres of molecular dynamics and personalized healthcare, however, the contributions are applicable to a wide variety of domains
Evaluation of Efficiency of Cybersecurity
Uurimistöö eesmärgiks on uurida, kuidas tõhus küberjulgeolek on olnud edukas. Uurimistöö kasutab parima võimaliku tulemuse saamiseks mitmesuguseid uurimismeetodeid ja kirjanduse ülevaade on süstemaatiline. Kuid uurimistöö järeldus on see, et uuring ei suuda kinnitada või tagasi lükata peamist töö hüpoteesi. Uuring ei õnnestunud, sest puuduvad korralikud teooriad, mis näitavad ohutuse ja küberjulgeoleku nähtusi ning puuduvad head näitajad, mis annaksid küberohutuse tõhususe kohta kehtivaid ja ratsionaalseid tulemusi, kui hästi on küberkuritegevuse abil õnnestunud küberkuritegevuse tõhusaks võitmiseks ja küberkuritegude tõhusaks vähendamiseks. Seepärast on küberjulgeoleku teadusteooria ja julgeoleku teadusteooria vähearenenud 2018. aastal. Uuringud on teinud küberjulgeoleku ja turvalisuse arendamise põhilisi avastusi. Edasiste põhiuuringute suund on luua üldine turbeteooria, mis kirjeldab ohtlike muutujate ohtlike muutujate kavatsust, ressursse, pädevust ja edusamme ohtlike muutujate ja aksioomide puhul, kus ohtlike muutujate mõõtmisel saab teha selle sisse loodetavas ja teooria kirjeldab, millised on tõhusad meetmed, et vältida ja leevendada ning millised ei ole ja lõpuks kehtestada nõuetekohased mõõdikud, et mõõta turvalisuse ja küberjulgeoleku tõhusust loodetavus ja kehtivusega.The purpose of the thesis is to research how effectively cybersecurity has succeeded on its mission. The thesis used multiple research methods to get best possible answer and the literature review has been systematic. However, the conclusion of the research was that the study is unable to either confirm or reject the main working hypothesis. The study is unable to do it because of the lack of proper theories to describe what are the phenomena in secu-rity and cybersecurity and the lack of proper metrics to give valid and sound conclusion about the effective of cybersecurity and how well have cybersecurity succeed on its mis-sion to effectively prevent and mitigate cybercrime. Therefore, the science of security and science of cybersecurity are underdeveloped in 2018. The research has made basic discov-eries of development of cybersecurity and security. A direction of further basic research is to establish a general theory of security which describes threat variables, threat variables intention, resources, competence and progress of the threat variables and axioms where measurement of threat variables can be made with reliability and the theory would describe which are effective measures to prevent and mitigate and which are not and finally, estab-lish proper metrics to measure efficiency of security and cybersecurity with reliability and validity
A distributed architecture for unmanned aerial systems based on publish/subscribe messaging and simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) testbed
A dissertation submitted in fulfilment for the degree of Master of Science.
School of Computational and Applied Mathematics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, November 2017The increased capabilities and lower cost of Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs) unveil big opportunities for a rapidly growing number of civilian and commercial applications. Some missions require direct control using a receiver in a point-to-point connection, involving one or very few MAVs. An alternative class of mission is remotely controlled, with the control of the drone automated to a certain extent using mission planning software and autopilot systems.
For most emerging missions, there is a need for more autonomous, cooperative control of MAVs, as well as more complex data processing from sensors like cameras and laser scanners. In the last decade, this has given rise to an extensive research from both academia and industry. This research direction applies robotics and computer vision concepts to Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs). However, UASs are often designed for specific hardware and software, thus providing limited integration, interoperability and re-usability across different missions. In addition, there are numerous open issues related to UAS command, control and communication(C3), and multi-MAVs.
We argue and elaborate throughout this dissertation that some of the recent standardbased publish/subscribe communication protocols can solve many of these challenges and meet the non-functional requirements of MAV robotics applications. This dissertation assesses the MQTT, DDS and TCPROS protocols in a distributed architecture of a UAS control system and Ground Control Station software. While TCPROS has been the leading robotics communication transport for ROS applications, MQTT and DDS are lightweight enough to be used for data exchange between distributed systems of aerial robots. Furthermore, MQTT and DDS are based on industry standards to foster communication interoperability of “things”. Both protocols have been extensively presented to address many of today’s needs related to networks based on the internet of things (IoT). For example, MQTT has been used to exchange data with space probes, whereas DDS was employed for aerospace defence and applications of smart cities.
We designed and implemented a distributed UAS architecture based on each publish/subscribe protocol TCPROS, MQTT and DDS. The proposed communication systems were tested with a vision-based Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) system involving three Parrot AR Drone2 MAVs. Within the context of this study, MQTT and DDS messaging frameworks serve the purpose of abstracting UAS complexity and heterogeneity. Additionally, these protocols are expected to provide low-latency communication and scale up to meet the requirements of real-time remote sensing applications. The most important contribution of this work is the implementation of a complete distributed communication architecture for multi-MAVs. Furthermore, we assess the viability of this architecture and benchmark the performance of the protocols in relation to an autonomous quadcopter navigation testbed composed of a SLAM algorithm, an extended Kalman filter and a PID controller.XL201
An adaptive agent-based model of homing pigeons : a genetic algorithm approach
Conventionally, agent-based modelling approaches start from a conceptual model capturing the theoretical understanding of the systems of interest. Simulation outcomes are then used “at the end” to validate the conceptual understanding. In todays data rich era, there are suggestions that models should be data-driven. Data-driven workflows are common in mathematical models. However, their application to agent-based models is still in its infancy. Integration of real-time sensor data into modelling workflows opens up the possibility of comparing simulations against real data during the model run. Calibration and validation procedures thus become automated processes that are iteratively executed during the simulation. We hypothesize that incorporation of real-time sensor data into agent-based models improves the predictive ability of such models. In particular, that such integration results in increasingly well calibrated model parameters and rule sets. In this contribution, we explore this question by implementing a flocking model that evolves in real-time. Specifically, we use genetic algorithms approach to simulate representative parameters to describe flight routes of homing pigeons. The navigation parameters of pigeons are simulated and dynamically evaluated against emulated GPS sensor data streams and optimised based on the fitness of candidate parameters. As a result, the model was able to accurately simulate the relative-turn angles and step-distance of homing pigeons. Further, the optimised parameters could replicate loops, which are common patterns in flight tracks of homing pigeons. Finally, the use of genetic algorithms in this study allowed for a simultaneous data-driven optimization and sensitivity analysis.(VLID)219568
Introducing distributed dynamic data-intensive (D3) science: Understanding applications and infrastructure
A common feature across many science and engineering applications is the
amount and diversity of data and computation that must be integrated to yield
insights. Data sets are growing larger and becoming distributed; and their
location, availability and properties are often time-dependent. Collectively,
these characteristics give rise to dynamic distributed data-intensive
applications. While "static" data applications have received significant
attention, the characteristics, requirements, and software systems for the
analysis of large volumes of dynamic, distributed data, and data-intensive
applications have received relatively less attention. This paper surveys
several representative dynamic distributed data-intensive application
scenarios, provides a common conceptual framework to understand them, and
examines the infrastructure used in support of applications.Comment: 38 pages, 2 figure