PVSio-web: a tool for rapid prototyping device user interfaces in PVS

We present PVSio-web which extends the simulation component of the PVS proof system with functionalities for rapid prototyping device user interfaces. The tool presents itself as a classic image-editing environment with functionalities such as area selection and hyperlink creation, thus reducing the barriers that prevent non-experts in formal methods from using PVS. Designers load a picture of the layout of the device user interface under development, specify interactive areas over the layout, and link them to a PVS specification. They can then explore the behaviour of the formal user interface specification through point-and-click interactions. The architecture of the tool is general, and can be used as the basis for extending other verification tools. A demonstration of the capabilities of PVSio-web is presented through an example based on a commercial medical device user interface. Our ultimate aim is to promote and facilitate the use of formal verification tools when developing device user interfaces

Characteristics of WAP traffic

This paper considers the characteristics of Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) traffic. We start by constructing a WAP traffic model by analysing the behaviour of users accessing public WAP sites via a monitoring system. A wide range of different traffic scenarios were considered, but most of these scenarios resolve to one of two basic types. The paper then uses this traffic model to consider the effects of large quantities of WAP traffic on the core network. One traffic characteristic which is of particular interest in network dimensioning is the degree of self-similarity, so the paper looks at the characteristics of aggregated traffic with WAP, Web and packet speech components to estimate its self-similarity. The results indicate that, while WAP traffic alone does not exhibit a significant degree of self-similarity, a combined load from various traffic sources retains almost the same degree of self-similarity as the most self-similar individual source

To what extent could Business Process Management Suite (BPMS) contribute positively to e-learning?

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of Business Process Management Suite (BPMS) as a teaching-learning technology with the lens of the conversational framework (Laurillard 2002). The paper hopes to link commercial technological development with research in teaching-learning technologies and bring about better collaboration between the two. This theoretical evaluation aims to address the preliminary question - could educational communities adopt BPMS, a tool that has evolved from the commercial world to further enhance teaching-learning process? The scope of this paper and its evaluative study will be limited to using the conversational framework. The paper will briefly discuss BPMS and its relation to business process and business process management to provide a brief introduction. The main section of this paper will be a detailed analysis of key BPMS components against the conversational framework. The conclusion will provide a summary of the effectiveness of BPMS as a teaching-learning tool based on the requirements set out by the conversational framework. The results of the conclusion could lead to further empirical research on BPMS as a teaching-learning technology tool and may be the opportunity to request funding to carry out a proof of concept

Commercial-off-the-shelf simulation package interoperability: Issues and futures

Commercial-Off-The-Shelf Simulation Packages (CSPs) are widely used in industry to simulate discrete-event models. Interoperability of CSPs requires the use of distributed simulation techniques. Literature presents us with many examples of achieving CSP interoperability using bespoke solutions. However, for the wider adoption of CSP-based distributed simulation it is essential that, first and foremost, a standard for CSP interoperability be created, and secondly, these standards are adhered to by the CSP vendors. This advanced tutorial is on an emerging standard relating to CSP interoperability. It gives an overview of this standard and presents case studies that implement some of the proposed standards. Furthermore, interoperability is discussed in relation to large and complex models developed using CSPs that require large amount of computing resources. It is hoped that this tutorial will inform the simulation community of the issues associated with CSP interoperability, the importance of these standards and its future

Integrated Dynamic Facade Control with an Agent-based Architecture for Commercial Buildings

Dynamic façades have significant technical potential to minimize heating, cooling, and lighting energy use and peak electric demand in the perimeter zone of commercial buildings, but the performance of these systems is reliant on being able to balance complex trade-offs between solar control, daylight admission, comfort, and view over the life of the installation. As the context for controllable energy-efficiency technologies grows more complex with the increased use of intermittent renewable energy resources on the grid, it has become increasingly important to look ahead towards more advanced approaches to integrated systems control in order to achieve optimum life-cycle performance at a lower cost. This study examines the feasibility of a model predictive control system for low-cost autonomous dynamic façades. A system architecture designed around lightweight, simple agents is proposed. The architecture accommodates whole building and grid level demands through its modular, hierarchical approach. Automatically-generated models for computing window heat gains, daylight illuminance, and discomfort glare are described. The open source Modelica and JModelica software tools were used to determine the optimum state of control given inputs of window heat gains and lighting loads for a 24-hour optimization horizon. Penalty functions for glare and view/ daylight quality were implemented as constraints. The control system was tested on a low-power controller (1.4 GHz single core with 2 GB of RAM) to evaluate feasibility. The target platform is a low-cost ($35/unit) embedded controller with 1.2 GHz dual-core cpu and 1 GB of RAM. Configuration and commissioning of the curtainwall unit was designed to be largely plug and play with minimal inputs required by the manufacturer through a web-based user interface. An example application was used to demonstrate optimal control of a three-zone electrochromic window for a south-facing zone. The overall approach was deemed to be promising. Further engineering is required to enable scalable, turnkey solutions