Semantic-Functional Communications in Cyber-Physical Systems

This paper explores the use of semantic knowledge inherent in the cyber-physical system (CPS) under study in order to minimize the use of explicit communication, which refers to the use of physical radio resources to transmit potentially informative data. It is assumed that the acquired data have a function in the system, usually related to its state estimation, which may trigger control actions. We propose that a semantic-functional approach can leverage the semantic-enabled implicit communication while guaranteeing that the system maintains functionality under the required performance. We illustrate the potential of this proposal through simulations of a swarm of drones jointly performing remote sensing in a given area. Our numerical results demonstrate that the proposed method offers the best design option regarding the ability to accomplish a previously established task -- remote sensing in the addressed case -- while minimising the use of radio resources by controlling the trade-offs that jointly determine the CPS performance and its effectiveness in the use of resources. In this sense, we establish a fundamental relationship between energy, communication, and functionality considering a given end application

Neurosciences and Wireless Networks: The Potential of Brain-Type Communications and Their Applications

This paper presents the first comprehensive tutorial on a promising research field located at the frontier of two well-established domains, neurosciences and wireless communications, motivated by the ongoing efforts to define the Sixth Generation of Mobile Networks (6G). In particular, this tutorial first provides a novel integrative approach that bridges the gap between these two seemingly disparate fields. Then, we present the state-of-the-art and key challenges of these two topics. In particular, we propose a novel systematization that divides the contributions into two groups, one focused on what neurosciences will offer to future wireless technologies in terms of new applications and systems architecture (Neurosciences for Wireless Networks), and the other on how wireless communication theory and next-generation wireless systems can provide new ways to study the brain (Wireless Networks for Neurosciences). For the first group, we explain concretely how current scientific understanding of the brain would enable new applications within the context of a new type of service that we dub brain-type communications and that has more stringent requirements than human- and machine-type communication. In this regard, we expose the key requirements of brain-type communication services and discuss how future wireless networks can be equipped to deal with such services. Meanwhile, for the second group, we thoroughly explore modern communication systems paradigms, including Internet of Bio-Nano Things and wireless-integrated brain-machine interfaces, in addition to highlighting how complex systems tools can help bridging the upcoming advances of wireless technologies and applications of neurosciences. Brain-controlled vehicles are then presented as our case study to demonstrate for both groups the potential created by the convergence of neurosciences and wireless communications, probably in 6G. In summary, this tutorial is expected to provide a largely missing articulation between neurosciences and wireless communications while delineating concrete ways to move forward in such an interdisciplinary endeavor

Search for a high-mass Higgs boson decaying to a W boson pair in pp collisions at √s = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search for a high-mass Higgs boson H is performed in the H → WW → ℓνℓν and H → WW → ℓνqq decay channels using pp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb−¹ collected at √s = 8 TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. No evidence of a high-mass Higgs boson is found. Limits on σH × BR(H → WW) as a function of the Higgs boson mass mH are determined in three different scenarios: one in which the heavy Higgs boson has a narrow width compared to the experimental resolution, one for a width increasing with the boson mass and modeled by the complex-pole scheme following the same behavior as in the Standard Model, and one for intermediate widths. The upper range of the search is mH = 1500 GeV for the narrow-width scenario and mH = 1000 GeV for the other two scenarios. The lower edge of the search range is 200–300 GeV and depends on the analysis channel and search scenario. For each signal interpretation, individual and combined limits from the two WW decay channels are presented. At mH = 1500 GeV, the highest-mass point tested, σH × BR(H → WW) for a narrow-width Higgs boson is constrained to be less than 22 fb and 6.6 fb at 95% CL for the gluon fusion and vector-boson fusion production modes, respectively

Search for a new scalar resonance decaying to a pair of Z bosons in proton-proton collisions at √s=13 TeV

A search for a new scalar resonance decaying to a pair of Z bosons is performed in the mass range from 130 GeV to 3 TeV, and for various width scenarios. The analysis is based on proton-proton collisions recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2016, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb−1at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The Z boson pair decays are reconstructed using the 4ℓ, 2ℓ2q, and 2ℓ2ν final states, where ℓ = e or μ. Both gluon fusion and electroweak production of the scalar resonance are considered, with a free parameter describing their relative cross sections. A dedicated categorization of events, based on the kinematic properties of associated jets, and matrix element techniques are employed for an optimal signal and background separation. A description of the interference between signal and background amplitudes for a resonance of an arbitrary width is included. No significant excess of events with respect to the standard model expectation is observed and limits are set on the product of the cross section for a new scalar boson and the branching fraction for its decay to ZZ for a large range of masses and widths.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]