Developing satellite ground control software through graphical models

This paper discusses a program of investigation into software development as graphical modeling. The goal of this work is a more efficient development and maintenance process for the ground-based software that controls unmanned scientific satellites launched by NASA. The main hypothesis of the program is that modeling of the spacecraft and its subsystems, and reasoning about such models, can--and should--form the key activities of software development; by using such models as inputs, the generation of code to perform various functions (such as simulation and diagnostics of spacecraft components) can be automated. Moreover, we contend that automation can provide significant support for reasoning about the software system at the diagram level

An Integrated Enterprise Architecture Framework for Business-IT Alignment

When different businesses want to integrate part of their processes and IT, they need to relate their enterprise architecture frameworks. An enterprise architecture framework (EAF) is a conceptual framework for describing the architecture of a business and its information technology (IT), and their alignment. In this paper we provide an integration among some well-known EAFs (Zachman, Four-domain, TOGAF and RM-ODP) and produce an integrated EAF (IEAF) that can be used as common framework to communicate about EAFs of differrent businesses and relate them to each other

Load Frequency Control: A Deep Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning Approach

The paradigm shift in energy generation towards microgrid-based architectures is changing the landscape of the energy control structure heavily in distribution systems. More specifically, distributed generation is deployed in the network demanding decentralised control mechanisms to ensure reliable power system operations. In this work, a Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning approach is proposed to deliver an agentbased solution to implement load frequency control without the need of a centralised authority. Multi-Agent Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient is used to approximate the frequency control at the primary and the secondary levels. Each generation unit is represented as an agent that is modelled by a Recurrent Neural Network. Agents learn the optimal way of acting and interacting with the environment to maximise their long term performance and to balance generation and load, thus restoring frequency. In this paper we prove using three test systems, with two, four and eight generators, that our Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning approach can efficiently be used to perform frequency control in a decentralised way

Formalizing structured file services for the data storage and retrieval subsystem of the data management system for Spacestation Freedom

A brief example of the use of formal methods techniques in the specification of a software system is presented. The report is part of a larger effort targeted at defining a formal methods pilot project for NASA. One possible application domain that may be used to demonstrate the effective use of formal methods techniques within the NASA environment is presented. It is not intended to provide a tutorial on either formal methods techniques or the application being addressed. It should, however, provide an indication that the application being considered is suitable for a formal methods by showing how such a task may be started. The particular system being addressed is the Structured File Services (SFS), which is a part of the Data Storage and Retrieval Subsystem (DSAR), which in turn is part of the Data Management System (DMS) onboard Spacestation Freedom. This is a software system that is currently under development for NASA. An informal mathematical development is presented. Section 3 contains the same development using Penelope (23), an Ada specification and verification system. The complete text of the English version Software Requirements Specification (SRS) is reproduced in Appendix A

Intelligent Integrated Management for Telecommunication Networks

As the size of communication networks keeps on growing, faster connections, cooperating technologies and the divergence of equipment and data communications, the management of the resulting networks gets additional important and time-critical. More advanced tools are needed to support this activity. In this article we describe the design and implementation of a management platform using Artificial Intelligent reasoning technique. For this goal we make use of an expert system. This study focuses on an intelligent framework and a language for formalizing knowledge management descriptions and combining them with existing OSI management model. We propose a new paradigm where the intelligent network management is integrated into the conceptual repository of management information called Managed Information Base (MIB). This paper outlines the development of an expert system prototype based in our propose GDMO+ standard and describes the most important facets, advantages and drawbacks that were found after prototyping our proposal

A goal-oriented requirements modelling language for enterprise architecture

Methods for enterprise architecture, such as TOGAF, acknowledge the importance of requirements engineering in the development of enterprise architectures. Modelling support is needed to specify, document, communicate and reason about goals and requirements. Current modelling techniques for enterprise architecture focus on the products, services, processes and applications of an enterprise. In addition, techniques may be provided to describe structured requirements lists and use cases. Little support is available however for modelling the underlying motivation of enterprise architectures in terms of stakeholder concerns and the high-level goals that address these concerns. This paper describes a language that supports the modelling of this motivation. The definition of the language is based on existing work on high-level goal and requirements modelling and is aligned with an existing standard for enterprise modelling: the ArchiMate language. Furthermore, the paper illustrates how enterprise architecture can benefit from analysis techniques in the requirements domain

Cooperation between Universities and Small and Medium-sized Firms as a Vehicle for the Regional Development: A Mixed-Method Study in Brazilian Context

University-firm (U-F) cooperation studies the relations formed between these two types of institutions/organisations as a driver of regional development, emphasizing the greater proximity between the results produced at the university and society’s needs, as well as policies for commercializing research. In general, this topic has been explored in three main dimensions: motivations, obstacles, and channels of knowledge transfer. These approaches capture the complexity of this type of U-F cooperation, which is concentrated on interactions with large firms, but ignoring the particularities of cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and academic researchers. However, this firm segment represents an important source of integration between the university and the region, as these SMEs stimulate national and regional economies through job creation and innovation. Therefore, this research aims to explore the cooperative relation between a university and SMEs in a region of Brazil with low technological development. To achieve this general objective, four specific objectives were defined: (1) present the relation between universities and SMEs through a systematic literature review (SLR); (2) propose a conceptual model of analysis of university-firm cooperation with regional development; (3) understand university-firm cooperation in a Brazilian higher education institution situated in a region of low technological density, and; (4) explore the relations formed between the university and SMEs located in a region of low socio-economic development. To respond to these objectives, a mixed research methodology was followed, since the quantitative and qualitative approaches complement each other, particularly regarding internal and external validity, where different research techniques of a deductive and inductive nature were used. In the first stage, an SLR identified the characteristics of cooperation between universities and SMEs. This identified the absence of studies on this topic in regions of low technological development and the importance of this type of cooperation for regional development. Consequently, another study proposed a conceptual model seeking to identify the benefits of U-F cooperation for a region, setting out from human resources’ qualification, the development of new products or processes, employability, and even new relations. This identification is possible from the perspective of those involved in a cooperative relation: university and SMEs. Identification of the benefits from the perspective of the actors involved allows greater awareness of how these results can be transported to the cooperative relation with more wide-ranging benefits for the region. At the second stage, two empirical studies were made to respond to objectives 3 and 4. The first, of a qualitative nature, explored the cooperative relations between researchers and businesspeople in SMEs. The data were collected through interviews held remotely and analysed through the technique of Descending Hierarchical Classification (DHC) and using Iramuteq v. 0.7 Alpha 2 software. Although the researchers establish cooperative relations with firms and the institution, the results show there is no support to develop this activity, i.e., no institutional policy directed towards U-SME cooperation is identified. The institutional environment the researchers and businesspeople belong to is relevant both in forming cooperation relations and in the obstacles underlying this type of process. However, the absence of this type of policy leads researchers to identify possible partners for cooperation through geographical, technological, and institutional proximity. As for firms, they find their partners at the university from their social relations. The common barriers found by these actors are associated with the time taken and academic bureaucracy. More specifically, researchers indicate that their career plan prevents them from forming cooperative activities with firms more quickly, this situation being a barrier to cooperation. Firm profess a lack of knowledge about the possibilities of developing cooperation with universities. The second study, of a quantitative nature, was based on a questionnaire adapted from previous studies and distributed electronically and personally to a sample of SMEs selected through the snowballing technique, formed of 336 firms that had entered any cooperative relation with universities in the last five years. The data were analysed using R-package, psych R-package, and Excel®. The results show that inter-personal relations interfere in the type of cooperation formed, these being a catalyst in formalizing cooperation. The firms formed cooperative relations with universities situated in the same geographical area. These relations also interfere in the perception of barriers and benefits of cooperation for the firm. These benefits are felt more intensely by businesspeople who formed formal cooperation agreements, with barriers being fewer in this situation. The results also show that U-F cooperation is perceived as a driver of regional development. Specifically, these benefits of cooperation result from the transfer of knowledge originating in teaching activities, both by absorbing a qualified workforce and qualifying those already in the labour market, as well as students’ work placements in firms and consultancy hired by firms to solve occasional problems in their business and to develop new products and processes. On the other hand, it was found that personal relationships were considered important for the start of the cooperation process, and influence the type of cooperation formed, as well as the perception of the benefits and barriers found in this process. The type of cooperation, in turn, influences the entrepreneurs’ perception about the results that U-SME cooperation provides for the development of the region. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of personal relationships in all aspects of U-SME cooperation and the potential for these relationships to limit the scope of cooperation if they are not expanded beyond previous personal connections. By studying U-SME cooperation associated with regional development, this research also contributes to knowledge of this type of cooperative relation. Especially, it highlights that the formation of cooperation can be supported by personal relations already established between the parts and its formalization, despite that previous relation arising informally. The formalization of cooperation is seen to be important not only through establishing the terms of cooperation, but specifically, through perception of the benefits U-SME cooperation brings to the region.A cooperação universidade-empresa (U-E) investiga as relações formadas entre estes dois tipos de instituições/organizações como um veículo para o desenvolvimento regional, enfatizando a maior aproximação entre os resultados produzidos na universidade e as necessidades da sociedade, bem como as políticas de comercialização da pesquisa. De modo geral, este tema tem sido explorado sob três dimensões principais: motivações, obstáculos e canais de transferência de conhecimento. Estas abordagens capturam a complexidade desse tipo de cooperação U-E que se concentram nas interações com grandes empresas e onde é ignorado as particularidades da cooperação entre pequenas e médias empresas (PMEs) e pesquisadores académicos. Porém, este segmento de empresas representa uma importante fonte de integração entre a universidade e a região, pois estas PMEs estimulam as economias nacionais e regionais por meio da geração de empregos e inovação. Assim, esta investigação explora a cooperação entre universidade e PMEs numa região com baixo desenvolvimento tecnológico no Brasil. Para atingir este objetivo geral, foram ainda definidos quatro objetivos específicos: (1) apresentar o relacionamento entre universidades e PMEs, através de uma revisão sistemática de literatura (RSL); (2) propor um modelo conceitual de análise da cooperação universidade-empresa com o desenvolvimento regional; (3) compreender a cooperação universidade-empresa numa instituição de ensino superior brasileira situada numa região de baixa intensidade tecnológica e; (4) explorar os relacionamentos formados entre a universidade e as PMEs localizadas numa região de baixo desenvolvimento socioeconómico. Assim, para dar resposta a estes objetivos seguiu-se uma metodologia de investigação mista, uma vez que as abordagens quantitativa e qualitativa são complementares uma da outra, nomeadamente, no tocante à validade interna e externa, em que se utilizaram diferentes técnicas de investigação de natureza dedutiva e indutiva. Numa primeira fase, realizou-se uma RSL onde se identificaram as características da cooperação entre as universidades e as PMEs. Com este estudo identificou-se a ausência de exploração deste tema em regiões de baixo desenvolvimento tecnológico e a importância desse tipo de cooperação para o desenvolvimento regional. Por conseguinte, num outro estudo, foi proposto um modelo conceitual que procura identificar os benefícios da cooperação U-E para uma região, a partir da qualificação de recursos humanos, desenvolvimento de novos produtos ou processos, empregabilidade e, ainda, novas relações. Esta identificação é possível ser feita a partir da perspetiva das partes envolvidas numa relação de cooperação: universidade e PMEs. A identificação dos benefícios a partir da perspetiva dos atores envolvidos, permite uma maior consciência sobre como esses resultados podem ser transportados para a relação de cooperação e beneficiar, de modo mais abrangente, a região. Numa segunda fase, para dar resposta aos objetivos 3 e 4 foram realizados dois estudos empíricos. O primeiro, de natureza qualitativa, explorou as relações de cooperação entre investigadores e empresários de PMEs. Os dados foram recolhidos por meio de entrevistas virtualmente concedidas e analisados por meio da técnica Descending Hierarchical Classification (DHC) e com o apoio do software Iramuteq v. 0.7 Alpha 2. Os resultados mostram que, apesar de os investigadores estabelecerem relações de cooperação com as empresas e a instituição, não existe apoios no desenvolvimento desta atividade, ou seja, não é possível identificar uma política institucional direcionada para a cooperação U-PMEs. O ambiente institucional a que pertencem os pesquisadores e empresários é relevante tanto na formação das relações de cooperação quanto nos entraves subjacentes a esse tipo de processo. Contudo, a ausência deste tipo de política leva os investigadores a identificar os possíveis parceiros da cooperação por meio da proximidade geográfica, tecnológica e institucional. Já as empresas, encontram os seus parceiros na universidade a partir de suas relações sociais. As barreiras comuns encontradas por esses atores estão associadas ao tempo e à burocracia académica. De modo mais específico, os investigadores apontaram que o plano de carreiras a que eles são vinculados, os impede de estabelecer atividades de cooperação de forma mais rápida com as empresas, sendo esta situação uma barreira à cooperação. Já as empresas alegam um desconhecimento sobre as possibilidades de desenvolver cooperação com as universidades. O segundo estudo, de cariz quantitativo, foi baseado num questionário adaptado a partir de estudos anteriores e distribuídos, eletrónica e pessoalmente, a uma amostra de PMEs, selecionada por meio da técnica bola de neve, composta por 336 empresas que havia realizado alguma relação de cooperação com universidades, nos últimos cinco anos. Os dados foram analisados com o auxílio do lavaan R-package, psych R-package, and Excel®. Os resultados mostram que as relações interpessoais interferem no tipo de cooperação formada, sendo estas um catalisador na formalização da cooperação. As empresas estabeleceram relações de cooperação com universidades que estão situadas no mesmo perímetro geográfico. Essas relações também interferem na percepção de barreiras e benefícios da cooperação para a empresa. Esses benefícios são mais intensamente percebidos por empresários que estabeleceram acordos de cooperação formais, sendo as barreiras menos intensas nestas situações. Os resultados mostram também que a cooperação U-E é percebida como um veículo para o desenvolvimento regional. De modo específico, estes benefícios à cooperação resultam da transferência de conhecimento originada a partir das atividades de ensino, tanto pela absorção de mão-de-obra qualificada quanto da qualificação daqueles que já estão no mercado de trabalho, bem como do estágio de estudantes nas empresas e das consultorias, contratadas pelas empresas, para solucionar questões pontuais nos seus negócios e para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos e processos. Por outro lado, verificou-se que as relações pessoais foram consideradas importantes para o início do processo de cooperação e influenciam o tipo de cooperação formada, bem como a perceção dos benefícios e das barreiras encontradas nesse processo. O tipo de cooperação, por sua vez, influencia a perceção dos empresários sobre os resultados que a cooperação U-PME fornece para o desenvolvimento da região. Ao se estudar aqui a cooperação U-PMEs associada ao desenvolvimento regional, este estudo contribui também para o conhecimento neste tipo de relação de cooperação. Especialmente, neste estudo destaca-se que a formação da cooperação pode ser suportada a partir das relações pessoais, já estabelecidas entre as partes e a sua formalização, apesar desse relacionamento anterior ter surgido de modo informal. A formalização da cooperação evidencia-se importante não apenas pelo estabelecimento dos termos da cooperação, mas especificamente, pela perceção dos benefícios que a cooperação U-PMEs proporciona para a região

A cooperative-relational approach to digital libraries

Copyright @ 2007 Springer-Verlag, Berlin HeidelbergThis paper presents a novel approach to model-driven development of Digital Library (DL) systems. The overall idea is to allow Digital Library systems designers (e.g. information architects, librarians, domain experts) to easily design such systems by using a visual language. We designed a Domain Specific Visual Language for such a purpose and developed a framework supporting it; this framework helps designers by automatically generating code for the defined Digital Library system, so that they do not have to get involved into technical issues concerning its deployment. In our approach, both Human-Computer Interaction and Computer Supported Collaborative Work techniques are exploited when generating interfaces and services for the specific Digital Library domain

Establishing thriving university-level space education

Recent analyses of the UK National Space Strategy [1], Space Sector Skills Survey [2] and The 2020 Space Census [3], have investigated and highlighted many of the established strengths and weaknesses of the current UK Space Sector and the role of training and educational programs supporting it. Furthermore, there is additional research into what self-reported roadblocks early career students and workers (and employers) consider important in this journey [4]. Academia, employers, schools, colleges, and museums all have considerable roles to play in shaping the future science capital of our populace and establishing people on the tech workforce pipeline. Rising to meet this challenge, The University of Nottingham wants to develop the UK's space workforce and is proud to have begun its first dedicated aerospace undergraduate course in 2016. In addition to the core lecture modules, added project experience is available in the form of group and individual supervised projects. These practical activities are a rare opportunity to learn unique space skills and work hands-on with spacecraft technology, something in short supply in the UK at the undergraduate level [2]. The practical, hands-on components are an important part of the space education programme and involve different platforms and projects going from simple electronics workshops to CanSats, FlatSats and experimental Rockets. These activities culminate in the CubeSat Program: a student-led group of projects to develop, build and fly CubeSat missions with a variety of payloads. The students have the possibility to present their own mission idea or join existing ones of interest to the research community. To support these high-fidelity opportunities for students and early career workers, a permanent on-site COTS Ground Station will serve as a control center for all these student-built satellite missions. To help with the establishment of this facility, The University of Nottingham has been cooperating with the local amateur radio community to train and license the student team. This paper deals with the description of the different projects and presents the University’s point of view about the strengths and weaknesses of our Space educational programm