Topological and Graph-coloring Conditions on the Parameter-independent Stability of Second-order Networked Systems

In this paper, we study parameter-independent stability in qualitatively heterogeneous passive networked systems containing damped and undamped nodes. Given the graph topology and a set of damped nodes, we ask if output consensus is achieved for all system parameter values. For given parameter values, an eigenspace analysis is used to determine output consensus. The extension to parameter-independent stability is characterized by a coloring problem, named the richly balanced coloring (RBC) problem. The RBC problem asks if all nodes of the graph can be colored red, blue and black in such a way that (i) every damped node is black, (ii) every black node has blue neighbors if and only if it has red neighbors, and (iii) not all nodes in the graph are black. Such a colored graph is referred to as a richly balanced colored graph. Parameter-independent stability is guaranteed if there does not exist a richly balanced coloring. The RBC problem is shown to cover another well-known graph coloring scheme known as zero forcing sets. That is, if the damped nodes form a zero forcing set in the graph, then a richly balanced coloring does not exist and thus, parameter-independent stability is guaranteed. However, the full equivalence of zero forcing sets and parameter-independent stability holds only true for tree graphs. For more general graphs with few fundamental cycles an algorithm, named chord node coloring, is proposed that significantly outperforms a brute-force search for solving the NP-complete RBC problem.Comment: 30 pages, accepted for publication in SICO

Robust set stabilization of Boolean control networks with impulsive effects

This paper addresses the robust set stabilization problem of Boolean control networks (BCNs) with impulsive effects via the semi-tensor product method. Firstly, the closed-loop system consisting of a BCN with impulsive effects and a given state feedback control is converted into an algebraic form. Secondly, based on the algebraic form, some necessary and sufficient conditions are presented for the robust set stabilization of BCNs with impulsive effects under a given state feedback control and a free-form control sequence, respectively. Thirdly, as applications, some necessary and sufficient conditions are presented for robust partial stabilization and robust output tracking of BCNs with impulsive effects, respectively. The study of two illustrative examples shows that the obtained new results are effective

Analysis of Hardware Descriptions

The design process for integrated circuits requires a lot of analysis of circuit descriptions. An important class of analyses determines how easy it will be to determine if a physical component suffers from any manufacturing errors. As circuit complexities grow rapidly, the problem of testing circuits also becomes increasingly difficult. This thesis explores the potential for analysing a recent high level hardware description language called Ruby. In particular, we are interested in performing testability analyses of Ruby circuit descriptions. Ruby is ammenable to algebraic manipulation, so we have sought transformations that improve testability while preserving behaviour. The analysis of Ruby descriptions is performed by adapting a technique called abstract interpretation. This has been used successfully to analyse functional programs. This technique is most applicable where the analysis to be captured operates over structures isomorphic to the structure of the circuit. Many digital systems analysis tools require the circuit description to be given in some special form. This can lead to inconsistency between representations, and involves additional work converting between representations. We propose using the original description medium, in this case Ruby, for performing analyses. A related technique, called non-standard interpretation, is shown to be very useful for capturing many circuit analyses. An implementation of a system that performs non-standard interpretation forms the central part of the work. This allows Ruby descriptions to be analysed using alternative interpretations such test pattern generation and circuit layout interpretations. This system follows a similar approach to Boute's system semantics work and O'Donnell's work on Hydra. However, we have allowed a larger class of interpretations to be captured and offer a richer description language. The implementation presented here is constructed to allow a large degree of code sharing between different analyses. Several analyses have been implemented including simulation, test pattern generation and circuit layout. Non-standard interpretation provides a good framework for implementing these analyses. A general model for making non-standard interpretations is presented. Combining forms that combine two interpretations to produce a new interpretation are also introduced. This allows complex circuit analyses to be decomposed in a modular manner into smaller circuit analyses which can be built independently