4,254 research outputs found
Verifying linearizability on TSO architectures
Linearizability is the standard correctness criterion for fine-grained, non-atomic concurrent algorithms, and a variety of methods for verifying linearizability have been developed. However, most approaches assume a sequentially consistent memory model, which is not always realised in practice. In this paper we define linearizability on a weak memory model: the TSO (Total Store Order) memory model, which is implemented in the x86 multicore architecture. We also show how a simulation-based proof method can be adapted to verify linearizability for algorithms running on TSO architectures. We demonstrate our approach on a typical concurrent algorithm, spinlock, and prove it linearizable using our simulation-based approach. Previous approaches to proving linearizabilty on TSO architectures have required a modification to the algorithm's natural abstract specification. Our proof method is the first, to our knowledge, for proving correctness without the need for such modification
Energy-Efficient Power Allocation in OFDM Systems with Wireless Information and Power Transfer
This paper considers an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)
downlink point-to-point system with simultaneous wireless information and power
transfer. It is assumed that the receiver is able to harvest energy from noise,
interference, and the desired signals.
We study the design of power allocation algorithms maximizing the energy
efficiency of data transmission (bit/Joule delivered to the receiver). In
particular, the algorithm design is formulated as a high-dimensional non-convex
optimization problem which takes into account the circuit power consumption,
the minimum required data rate, and a constraint on the minimum power delivered
to the receiver. Subsequently, by exploiting the properties of nonlinear
fractional programming, the considered non-convex optimization problem, whose
objective function is in fractional form, is transformed into an equivalent
optimization problem having an objective function in subtractive form, which
enables the derivation of an efficient iterative power allocation algorithm. In
each iteration, the optimal power allocation solution is derived based on dual
decomposition and a one-dimensional search. Simulation results illustrate that
the proposed iterative power allocation algorithm converges to the optimal
solution, and unveil the trade-off between energy efficiency, system capacity,
and wireless power transfer: (1) In the low transmit power regime, maximizing
the system capacity may maximize the energy efficiency. (2) Wireless power
transfer can enhance the energy efficiency, especially in the interference
limited regime.Comment: 6 pages, Accepted for presentation at the IEEE International
Conference on Communications (ICC) 201
Admit your weakness: Verifying correctness on TSO architectures
“The final publication is available at http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-319-15317-9_22 ”.Linearizability has become the standard correctness criterion for fine-grained non-atomic concurrent algorithms, however, most approaches assume a sequentially consistent memory model, which is not always realised in practice. In this paper we study the correctness of concurrent algorithms on a weak memory model: the TSO (Total Store Order) memory model, which is commonly implemented by multicore architectures. Here, linearizability is often too strict, and hence, we prove a weaker criterion, quiescent consistency instead. Like linearizability, quiescent consistency is compositional making it an ideal correctness criterion in a component-based context. We demonstrate how to model a typical concurrent algorithm, seqlock, and prove it quiescent consistent using a simulation-based approach. Previous approaches to proving correctness on TSO architectures have been based on linearizabilty which makes it necessary to modify the algorithm’s high-level requirements. Our approach is the first, to our knowledge, for proving correctness without the need for such a modification
Energy-Efficient Resource Allocation in Multiuser OFDM Systems with Wireless Information and Power Transfer
In this paper, we study the resource allocation algorithm design for
multiuser orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) downlink systems
with simultaneous wireless information and power transfer. The algorithm design
is formulated as a non-convex optimization problem for maximizing the energy
efficiency of data transmission (bit/Joule delivered to the users). In
particular, the problem formulation takes into account the minimum required
system data rate, heterogeneous minimum required power transfers to the users,
and the circuit power consumption. Subsequently, by exploiting the method of
time-sharing and the properties of nonlinear fractional programming, the
considered non-convex optimization problem is solved using an efficient
iterative resource allocation algorithm. For each iteration, the optimal power
allocation and user selection solution are derived based on Lagrange dual
decomposition. Simulation results illustrate that the proposed iterative
resource allocation algorithm achieves the maximum energy efficiency of the
system and reveal how energy efficiency, system capacity, and wireless power
transfer benefit from the presence of multiple users in the system.Comment: 6 pages. The paper has been accepted for publication at the IEEE
Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC) 2013, Shanghai,
China, Apr. 201
HUBcheck: Check the hub
The HUBzero Platform is a framework for building websites, referred to as hubs, that promote research communities through online simulation, data management, and collaboration. With each software release, the HUBzero Team dedicates weeks of team members\u27 time toward manually testing, fixing, and retesting hub components. The unique mixture of environments that make up a hub makes using existing automated testing solutions hard and shifts the burden of testing to humans, promoting variation, spot checking of fixes, and other shortcuts to avoid the high cost of completely retesting the system. With over twenty hubs being actively managed by the HUBzero Team, manually testing each one after a software update is resource and time prohibitive. ^ The HUBcheck library, a collection of Python modules backed by Selenium WebDriver and Paramiko, was built to help developers write automation scripts for HUBzero websites and the Debian Linux based virtual containers hosting the hub\u27s simulation tools. Today, the HUBzero Team is using HUBcheck to perform automated regression testing on all of its production hubs, regularly testing areas of the hub that were previously overlooked. In this document, we investigate how HUBcheck works, introduce three new design patterns that make writing page object based automation easier, and show how the use of HUBcheck has helped reduce the number of misconfigured systems during a one year period of hub upgrades
Teaching Students to Communicate with the Precise Language of Mathematics: A Focus on the Concept of Function in Calculus Courses
The use of precise language is one of the defining characteristics of mathematics that is often missing in mathematics classrooms. This lack of precision results in poorly constructed concepts that limit comprehension of essential mathematical definitions and notation. One important concept that frequently lacks the precision required by mathematics is the concept of function. Functions are foundational in the study undergraduate mathematics and are essential to other areas of modern mathematics. Because of its pivotal role, the concept of function is given particular attention in the three articles that comprise this study.
A unit on functions that focuses on using precise language was developed and presented to a class of 50 first-semester calculus students during the first two weeks of the semester. This unit includes a learning goal, a set of specific objectives, a collection of learning activities, and an end-of-unit assessment. The results of the implementation of this unit and the administration of the assessment indicated that when students were able to construct the concept of function themselves and formulate a formal definition, they had a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the concept.
In order to demonstrate its validity, the assessment was analyzed as to its relevance, reliability, and its test items\u27 effectiveness in discriminating between different levels of achievement. The results of this analysis indicated that the assessment was relevant to both the mathematical content and learning levels indicated by the unit\u27s objectives and had a high level of reliability. Additionally, the test items contained in the assessment had a reasonable level of effectiveness in discriminating between different levels of student achievement
Weak refinement in Z
An important aspect in the specification of distributed systems is the role of the internal (or unobservable) operation. Such operations are not part of the user interface (i.e. the user cannot invoke them), however, they are essential to our understanding and correct modelling of the system. Various conventions have been employed to model internal operations when specifying distributed systems in Z. If internal operations are distinguished in the specification notation, then refinement needs to deal with internal operations in appropriate ways. However, in the presence of internal operations, standard Z refinement leads to undesirable implementations.
In this paper we present a generalization of Z refinement, called weak refinement, which treats internal operations differently from observable operations when refining a system. We illustrate some of the properties of weak refinement through a specification of a telecommunications protocol
- …