MISSED: an environment for mixed-signal microsystem testing and diagnosis

A tight link between design and test data is proposed for speeding up test-pattern generation and diagnosis during mixed-signal prototype verification. Test requirements are already incorporated at the behavioral level and specified with increased detail at lower hierarchical levels. A strict distinction between generic routines and implementation data makes reuse of software possible. A testability-analysis tool and test and DFT libraries support the designer to guarantee testability. Hierarchical backtrace procedures in combination with an expert system and fault libraries assist the designer during mixed-signal chip debuggin

eBPF: A New Approach to Cloud-Native Observability, Networking and Security for Current (5G) and Future Mobile Networks (6G and Beyond)

Modern mobile communication networks and new service applications are deployed on cloud-native platforms. Kubernetes (K8s) is the de facto distributed operating system for container orchestration, and the extended version of the Berkeley Packet Filter (eBPF)- in the Linux (and MS Windows) kernel- is fundamentally changing the approach to cloud-native networking, security, and observability. In this paper, we introduce what eBPF is, its potential for Telco cloud, and review some of the most promising pricing and billing models applied to this revolutionary operating system (OS) technology. These models include schemes based on a data source usage model or the number of eBPF agents deployed on the network, linked to specific eBPF modules. These modules encompass network observability, runtime security, and power dissipation monitoring. Next, we present our eBPF platform, named Sauron in this work, and demonstrate how eBPF allows us to write custom code and dynamically load eBPF programs into the kernel. These programs enable us to estimate the energy consumption of cloud-native functions, derive performance counters and gauges for transport networks, 5G applications, and non-access stratum protocols. Additionally, we can detect and respond to unauthorized access to cloud-native resources in real-time using eBPF. Our experimental results demonstrate the technical feasibility of eBPF in achieving highly performant monitoring, observability, and security tooling for current mobile networks (5G, 5G Advanced) as well as future networks (6G and beyond)

A graphical environment and applications for discrete event and hybrid systems in robotics and automation

technical reportIn this paper we present an overview for the development of a graphical environment for simulating, analyzing, synthesizing, monitoring, and controlling complex discrete event and hybrid systems within the robotics, automation, and intelligent system domain. We start by presenting an overview of discrete event and hybrid systems, and then discuss the proposed framework. We also present two applications within the robotics and automation domain for such complex systems. The first is for formulating an observer for manipulating agents, and the second is for designing sensing strategies for the inspection of machine parts

Advanced radar absorbing ceramic-based materials for multifunctional applications in space environment

In this review, some results of the experimental activity carried out by the authors on advanced composite materials for space applications are reported. Composites are widely employed in the aerospace industry thanks to their lightweight and advanced thermo-mechanical and electrical properties. A critical issue to tackle using engineered materials for space activities is providing two or more specific functionalities by means of single items/components. In this scenario, carbon-based composites are believed to be ideal candidates for the forthcoming development of aerospace research and space missions, since a widespread variety of multi-functional structures are allowed by employing these materials. The research results described here suggest that hybrid ceramic/polymeric structures could be employed as spacecraft-specific subsystems in order to ensure extreme temperature withstanding and electromagnetic shielding behavior simultaneously. The morphological and thermo-mechanical analysis of carbon/carbon (C/C) three-dimensional (3D) shell prototypes is reported; then, the microwave characterization of multilayered carbon-filled micro-/nano-composite panels is described. Finally, the possibility of combining the C/C bulk with a carbon-reinforced skin in a synergic arrangement is discussed, with the aid of numerical and experimental analyses

System-of-Systems Complexity

The global availability of communication services makes it possible to interconnect independently developed systems, called constituent systems, to provide new synergistic services and more efficient economic processes. The characteristics of these new Systems-of-Systems are qualitatively different from the classic monolithic systems. In the first part of this presentation we elaborate on these differences, particularly with respect to the autonomy of the constituent systems, to dependability, continuous evolution, and emergence. In the second part we look at a SoS from the point of view of cognitive complexity. Cognitive complexity is seen as a relation between a model of an SoS and the observer. In order to understand the behavior of a large SoS we have to generate models of adequate simplicity, i.e, of a cognitive complexity that can be handled by the limited capabilities of the human mind. We will discuss the importance of properly specifying and placing the relied-upon message interfaces between the constituent systems that form an open SoS and discuss simplification strategies that help to reduce the cognitive complexity.Comment: In Proceedings AiSoS 2013, arXiv:1311.319

Automated Debugging Methodology for FPGA-based Systems

Electronic devices make up a vital part of our lives. These are seen from mobiles, laptops, computers, home automation, etc. to name a few. The modern designs constitute billions of transistors. However, with this evolution, ensuring that the devices fulfill the designer’s expectation under variable conditions has also become a great challenge. This requires a lot of design time and effort. Whenever an error is encountered, the process is re-started. Hence, it is desired to minimize the number of spins required to achieve an error-free product, as each spin results in loss of time and effort. Software-based simulation systems present the main technique to ensure the verification of the design before fabrication. However, few design errors (bugs) are likely to escape the simulation process. Such bugs subsequently appear during the post-silicon phase. Finding such bugs is time-consuming due to inherent invisibility of the hardware. Instead of software simulation of the design in the pre-silicon phase, post-silicon techniques permit the designers to verify the functionality through the physical implementations of the design. The main benefit of the methodology is that the implemented design in the post-silicon phase runs many order-of-magnitude faster than its counterpart in pre-silicon. This allows the designers to validate their design more exhaustively. This thesis presents five main contributions to enable a fast and automated debugging solution for reconfigurable hardware. During the research work, we used an obstacle avoidance system for robotic vehicles as a use case to illustrate how to apply the proposed debugging solution in practical environments. The first contribution presents a debugging system capable of providing a lossless trace of debugging data which permits a cycle-accurate replay. This methodology ensures capturing permanent as well as intermittent errors in the implemented design. The contribution also describes a solution to enhance hardware observability. It is proposed to utilize processor-configurable concentration networks, employ debug data compression to transmit the data more efficiently, and partially reconfiguring the debugging system at run-time to save the time required for design re-compilation as well as preserve the timing closure. The second contribution presents a solution for communication-centric designs. Furthermore, solutions for designs with multi-clock domains are also discussed. The third contribution presents a priority-based signal selection methodology to identify the signals which can be more helpful during the debugging process. A connectivity generation tool is also presented which can map the identified signals to the debugging system. The fourth contribution presents an automated error detection solution which can help in capturing the permanent as well as intermittent errors without continuous monitoring of debugging data. The proposed solution works for designs even in the absence of golden reference. The fifth contribution proposes to use artificial intelligence for post-silicon debugging. We presented a novel idea of using a recurrent neural network for debugging when a golden reference is present for training the network. Furthermore, the idea was also extended to designs where golden reference is not present

Investigating Conformance Monitoring Issues in Air Traffic Control Using Fault Detection Approaches

In order to maintain Air Traffic Control (ATC) system safety, security and efficiency, conformance monitoring must be performed to ensure that aircraft adhere to their assigned clearances. New Decision Support Tools (DSTs), coupled to advanced communication, navigation and surveillance technologies are being developed which may enable more effective conformance monitoring to be undertaken relative to today. However, there are currently no general analysis techniques to help identify fundamental conformance monitoring issues and more effective approaches that new DSTs should employ. An approach to address this need is presented in this work that draws parallels between ATC conformance monitoring and general system fault detection, allowing fault detection methods developed for other domains to be employed for this new application. The resulting Conformance Monitoring Analysis Framework provides a structure to research conformance monitoring issues and approaches. Detailed discussions are presented for each of the elements of the framework, including the Conformance Basis, Actual System Representation, Conformance Monitoring Model, Conformance Residual Generation and Decision-Making components. Flight test data during a simple lateral non-conformance maneuver was used to demonstrate various implementation options of the framework. Application of the framework for ATC conformance monitoring research was demonstrated using flight test and simulator data in various operational and surveillance environments. Key findings in the lateral, vertical and longitudinal domains during non-transitioning and transitioning flight regimes are presented. In general, it was found that more effective conformance monitoring can be conducted relative to existing systems in the non-transitioning environments when advanced surveillance systems provide higher accuracy, higher update rate and higher order dynamic state information for use in more sophisticated DST algorithms. This is contrasted to the significantly greater conformance monitoring challenges that exist in the transitioning regimes due to Conformance Basis and modeling uncertainties. These challenges can be handled through the use of procedural design, higher fidelity modeling techniques or the surveillance of intent states. Two extended applications of the framework are also presented: a method for intent inferencing to determine what alternative trajectory a non-conforming aircraft may be following and a technique for environmental parameter estimation.This work was funded by the NASA Langley Research Center under grant NAG1-02006. Sincere thanks to Richard Barhydt & Mark Ballin for their support through this grant. The authors would also like to thank Mike Paglione at the FAA Technical Center and Len Tobias at the NASA Ames Research Center for earlier support through the FAA/NASA Joint University Program under grant FAA95-G-017

A survey on software testability

Context: Software testability is the degree to which a software system or a unit under test supports its own testing. To predict and improve software testability, a large number of techniques and metrics have been proposed by both practitioners and researchers in the last several decades. Reviewing and getting an overview of the entire state-of-the-art and state-of-the-practice in this area is often challenging for a practitioner or a new researcher. Objective: Our objective is to summarize the body of knowledge in this area and to benefit the readers (both practitioners and researchers) in preparing, measuring and improving software testability. Method: To address the above need, the authors conducted a survey in the form of a systematic literature mapping (classification) to find out what we as a community know about this topic. After compiling an initial pool of 303 papers, and applying a set of inclusion/exclusion criteria, our final pool included 208 papers. Results: The area of software testability has been comprehensively studied by researchers and practitioners. Approaches for measurement of testability and improvement of testability are the most-frequently addressed in the papers. The two most often mentioned factors affecting testability are observability and controllability. Common ways to improve testability are testability transformation, improving observability, adding assertions, and improving controllability. Conclusion: This paper serves for both researchers and practitioners as an "index" to the vast body of knowledge in the area of testability. The results could help practitioners measure and improve software testability in their projects