6,275 research outputs found
Smart Microgrids: Overview and Outlook
The idea of changing our energy system from a hierarchical design into a set
of nearly independent microgrids becomes feasible with the availability of
small renewable energy generators. The smart microgrid concept comes with
several challenges in research and engineering targeting load balancing,
pricing, consumer integration and home automation. In this paper we first
provide an overview on these challenges and present approaches that target the
problems identified. While there exist promising algorithms for the particular
field, we see a missing integration which specifically targets smart
microgrids. Therefore, we propose an architecture that integrates the presented
approaches and defines interfaces between the identified components such as
generators, storage, smart and \dq{dumb} devices.Comment: presented at the GI Informatik 2012, Braunschweig Germany, Smart Grid
Worksho
Epcast: Controlled Dissemination in Human-based Wireless Networks by means of Epidemic Spreading Models
Epidemics-inspired techniques have received huge attention in recent years
from the distributed systems and networking communities. These algorithms and
protocols rely on probabilistic message replication and redundancy to ensure
reliable communication. Moreover, they have been successfully exploited to
support group communication in distributed systems, broadcasting, multicasting
and information dissemination in fixed and mobile networks. However, in most of
the existing work, the probability of infection is determined heuristically,
without relying on any analytical model. This often leads to unnecessarily high
transmission overheads.
In this paper we show that models of epidemic spreading in complex networks
can be applied to the problem of tuning and controlling the dissemination of
information in wireless ad hoc networks composed of devices carried by
individuals, i.e., human-based networks. The novelty of our idea resides in the
evaluation and exploitation of the structure of the underlying human network
for the automatic tuning of the dissemination process in order to improve the
protocol performance. We evaluate the results using synthetic mobility models
and real human contacts traces
Machine Learning in Wireless Sensor Networks: Algorithms, Strategies, and Applications
Wireless sensor networks monitor dynamic environments that change rapidly
over time. This dynamic behavior is either caused by external factors or
initiated by the system designers themselves. To adapt to such conditions,
sensor networks often adopt machine learning techniques to eliminate the need
for unnecessary redesign. Machine learning also inspires many practical
solutions that maximize resource utilization and prolong the lifespan of the
network. In this paper, we present an extensive literature review over the
period 2002-2013 of machine learning methods that were used to address common
issues in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The advantages and disadvantages of
each proposed algorithm are evaluated against the corresponding problem. We
also provide a comparative guide to aid WSN designers in developing suitable
machine learning solutions for their specific application challenges.Comment: Accepted for publication in IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorial
Ecosystem-inspired enterprise modelling framework for collaborative and networked manufacturing systems
Rapid changes in the open manufacturing environment are imminent due to the increase of customer demand, global competition, and digital fusion. This has exponentially increased both complexity and uncertainty in the manufacturing landscape, creating serious challenges for competitive enterprises. For enterprises to remain competitive, analysing manufacturing activities and designing systems to address emergent needs, in a timely and efficient manner, is understood to be crucial. However, existing analysis and design approaches adopt a narrow diagnostic focus on either managerial or engineering aspects and neglect to consider the holistic complex behaviour of enterprises in a collaborative manufacturing network (CMN). It has been suggested that reflecting upon ecosystem theory may bring a better understanding of how to analyse the CMN. The research presented in this paper draws on a theoretical discussion with aim to demonstrate a facilitating approach to those analysis and design tasks. This approach was later operationalised using enterprise modelling (EM) techniques in a novel, developed framework that enhanced systematic analysis, design, and business-IT alignment. It is expected that this research view is opening a new field of investigation
First impressions: introducing the 'Real Times' third sector case studies
‘Real Times’ is the Third Sector Research Centre’s qualitative longitudinal study of third sector organisations, groups and activities. Over a three year period the study is following the fortunes, strategies, challenges and performance of a diverse set of fifteen ‘core’ case studies of third sector activity, and their relations with a number ‘complementary’ case studies. This report introduces the core case studies through summary sketches, and provides a descriptive account of the research up to the end of the first wave of fieldwork
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