63,182 research outputs found
Spinal Test Suites for Software Product Lines
A major challenge in testing software product lines is efficiency. In
particular, testing a product line should take less effort than testing each
and every product individually. We address this issue in the context of
input-output conformance testing, which is a formal theory of model-based
testing. We extend the notion of conformance testing on input-output featured
transition systems with the novel concept of spinal test suites. We show how
this concept dispenses with retesting the common behavior among different, but
similar, products of a software product line.Comment: In Proceedings MBT 2014, arXiv:1403.704
Integrated Design Tools for Embedded Control Systems
Currently, computer-based control systems are still being implemented using the same techniques as 10 years ago. The purpose of this project is the development of a design framework, consisting of tools and libraries, which allows the designer to build high reliable heterogeneous real-time embedded systems in a very short time at a fraction of the present day costs. The ultimate focus of current research is on transformation control laws to efficient concurrent algorithms, with concerns about important non-functional real-time control systems demands, such as fault-tolerance, safety,\ud
reliability, etc.\ud
The approach is based on software implementation of CSP process algebra, in a modern way (pure objectoriented design in Java). Furthermore, it is intended that the tool will support the desirable system-engineering stepwise refinement design approach, relying on past research achievements ¿ the mechatronics design trajectory based on the building-blocks approach, covering all complex (mechatronics) engineering phases: physical system modeling, control law design, embedded control system implementation and real-life realization. Therefore, we expect that this project will result in an\ud
adequate tool, with results applicable in a wide range of target hardware platforms, based on common (off-theshelf) distributed heterogeneous (cheap) processing units
Fast Damage Recovery in Robotics with the T-Resilience Algorithm
Damage recovery is critical for autonomous robots that need to operate for a
long time without assistance. Most current methods are complex and costly
because they require anticipating each potential damage in order to have a
contingency plan ready. As an alternative, we introduce the T-resilience
algorithm, a new algorithm that allows robots to quickly and autonomously
discover compensatory behaviors in unanticipated situations. This algorithm
equips the robot with a self-model and discovers new behaviors by learning to
avoid those that perform differently in the self-model and in reality. Our
algorithm thus does not identify the damaged parts but it implicitly searches
for efficient behaviors that do not use them. We evaluate the T-Resilience
algorithm on a hexapod robot that needs to adapt to leg removal, broken legs
and motor failures; we compare it to stochastic local search, policy gradient
and the self-modeling algorithm proposed by Bongard et al. The behavior of the
robot is assessed on-board thanks to a RGB-D sensor and a SLAM algorithm. Using
only 25 tests on the robot and an overall running time of 20 minutes,
T-Resilience consistently leads to substantially better results than the other
approaches
Modular Networks: Learning to Decompose Neural Computation
Scaling model capacity has been vital in the success of deep learning. For a
typical network, necessary compute resources and training time grow
dramatically with model size. Conditional computation is a promising way to
increase the number of parameters with a relatively small increase in
resources. We propose a training algorithm that flexibly chooses neural modules
based on the data to be processed. Both the decomposition and modules are
learned end-to-end. In contrast to existing approaches, training does not rely
on regularization to enforce diversity in module use. We apply modular networks
both to image recognition and language modeling tasks, where we achieve
superior performance compared to several baselines. Introspection reveals that
modules specialize in interpretable contexts.Comment: NIPS 201
Torque control strategy for an axial flux switched reluctance machine
This paper reflects the work done to design a torque control strategy for an axial flux switched reluctance machine. The general electrical model is first presented but as the switched reluctance machine behaves nonlinearly1 a (three-dimensional) finite element method characterization is performed, so the nonlinearity may be considered. Once the machine is characterized in FEM a Simulink model is developed where a torque control strategy is proposed. Then, both the machine and the control are experimentally tested. The control setting, and the obtained real performance results are also presented in this document. Finally, the most outstanding conclusions about the control strategy are captured. Main difficulties encountered during the implementation of the control strategy are also collected
A Case Study on Formal Verification of Self-Adaptive Behaviors in a Decentralized System
Self-adaptation is a promising approach to manage the complexity of modern
software systems. A self-adaptive system is able to adapt autonomously to
internal dynamics and changing conditions in the environment to achieve
particular quality goals. Our particular interest is in decentralized
self-adaptive systems, in which central control of adaptation is not an option.
One important challenge in self-adaptive systems, in particular those with
decentralized control of adaptation, is to provide guarantees about the
intended runtime qualities. In this paper, we present a case study in which we
use model checking to verify behavioral properties of a decentralized
self-adaptive system. Concretely, we contribute with a formalized architecture
model of a decentralized traffic monitoring system and prove a number of
self-adaptation properties for flexibility and robustness. To model the main
processes in the system we use timed automata, and for the specification of the
required properties we use timed computation tree logic. We use the Uppaal tool
to specify the system and verify the flexibility and robustness properties.Comment: In Proceedings FOCLASA 2012, arXiv:1208.432
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