Optimizing Reconfigurable Hardware Resource Usage in System-on-a-Programmable-Chip with Location-Aware Genetic Algorithm

This paper presents static task scheduling using location-aware genetic algorithm techniques to schedule task systems to finite amounts of reconfigurable hardware. This research optimizes the use of limited reconfigurable resources. This scheduling algorithm is built upon our previous work [12- 14]. In this paper, the genetic algorithm has been expanded to include a feature to assign selected tasks to specific functional units. In this reconfigurable hardware environment, multiple sequential processing elements (soft core processors such as Xilinx MicroBlaze [22] or Altera Nios-II [1]), task-specific core (application specific hardware), and communication network within the reconfigurable hardware can be used (such a system is called system-on-a-programmable-chip, SoPC). This paper shows that by pre-assigning (manually or randomly) a percentage of tasks to the desired functional units, the search algorithm is capable of finding acceptable schedules and maintaining high resource utilization (\u3e93 percent, with two processors configuration)

A Wireless Sensor Data Fusion Framework for Contaminant Detection

In recent years, much research has been done on wireless sensor networks and sensor data fusion, however there has been limited work regarding implementation of real systems that are capable of providing a highly connected sensor network for data logging and data fusion applications. This paper describes the design and implementation of a wireless, portable, and reconfigurable sensor network framework. This sensor node design has proven to be effective for monitoring environmental conditions of aircraft cabins and is well suited to environmental monitoring and detection of contaminants in large areas when utilizing sensor data fusion features

A Unified Wireless Sensor Network Framework

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been a significant area of research over the past decade. WSN systems are used in a wide range of applications such as surveillance, environmental monitoring, target tracking, wildlife tracking, personal health monitoring, machinery monitoring, and many others. With such wide ranging applications, there is active research in nearly every facet of the field including network topologies, communication protocols, node localization, time synchronization, and sensor data processing. This movement has largely been the result of the advances in microelectronics and low-power radio systems. These advancements have enabled the design and implementation of small, powerful, low-power, wireless sensor network systems. Like any emerging technology, a standard needs to be established to allow the advances in the field to be directly leveraged rather than requiring reinvention. This paper outlines the traditional approaches to WSN system design, and in contrast, proposes the necessary components of a unified WSN framework that would support the majority of present applications as well as providing the foundation for further advancements in the field

Case Study of Finite Resource Optimization in FPGA Using Genetic Algorithm

Modem Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are becoming very popular in embedded systems and high performance applications. FPGA has benefited from the shrinking of transistor feature size, which allows more on-chip reconfigurable (e.g., memories and look-up tables) and routing resources available. Unfortunately, the amount of reconfigurable resources in a FPGA is fixed and limited. This paper investigates the mapping scheme of the applications in a FPGA by utilizing sequential processing (e.g., Altera Nios II or Xilinx Microblaze, using C programming language) and task specific hardware (using hardware description language). Genetic Algorithm is used in this study. We found that placing sequential processor cores into FPGA can improve the resource utilization efficiency and achieve acceptable system performance. ln this paper, three cases were studied to determine the trade-off between resource optimization and system performance

Connecting Hardware and Software in a Middle School Engineering Outreach Effort-RTP

Recent years have seen tremendous growth in outreach programs aimed at bringing computer programming to children and young adults via in-class and extracurricular coding activities. Programs such as the Hour of Code and Girls who Code have introduced millions of young people to programming around the world. For this study, we explored how combining programming with interactive electronics hardware can create a more engaging and dynamic learning environment for some students than what programming alone can achieve. In this paper, we describe an electrical engineering outreach effort in collaboration with the technology and engineering teacher at a local middle school. Beginning with an introduction to programming via the Hour of Code, we progressed to lessons utilizing the Sparkfun Electronics Digital Sandbox, an Arduino-compatible microcontroller board with numerous built-in sensors and outputs. Under the guidance of both a professor of electrical and computer engineering and their own technology teacher, the students learned about the relationship between electronics hardware and software via a series of hands-on activities that culminated in a final design project. To understand the experiences of the students who participated in these activities and develop insights into the relationship between hardware and software and students’ learning outcomes, we administered a survey and conducted a focus group with the students. The students described an overall positive experience, and also appreciated the ability to connect coding with the interactivity provided by the microcontroller board. The students described deriving significant satisfaction out of relatively simple tasks like programming an LED light to blink or change color. The students also overwhelmingly felt that learning about the interconnections between hardware and software gave them an understanding and better appreciation of the complexity of the electronics and computer software they interact with on a daily basis. The students generally found the programming to be the most challenging part of the activity but also rewarding, but tended to indicate activities utilizing hardware as the most engaging activity they encountered. Overall, the results of this study suggest that combined hardware and software educational activities can engage a wide number of students, help students understand the interconnectedness of these areas, and create a positive learning environment

A Small Acoustic Goniometer for General Purpose Research

Understanding acoustic events and monitoring their occurrence is a useful aspect of many research projects. In particular, acoustic goniometry allows researchers to determine the source of an event based solely on the sound it produces. The vast majority of acoustic goniometry research projects used custom hardware targeted to the specific application under test. Unfortunately, due to the wide range of sensing applications, a flexible general purpose hardware/firmware system does not exist for this purpose. This article focuses on the development of such a system which encourages the continued exploration of general purpose hardware/firmware and lowers barriers to research in projects requiring the use of acoustic goniometry. Simulations have been employed to verify system feasibility, and a complete hardware implementation of the acoustic goniometer has been designed and field tested. The results are reported, and suggested areas for improvement and further exploration are discussed

Monitoring of the Aircraft Cabin Environment via a Wireless Sensor Network

Wireless sensor networks consist of physically distributed autonomous sensor nodes that cooperatively monitor physical or environmental conditions. The key benefit of wireless sensor networks is that they are capable of generating a more complete view of the sensed environment by acquiring larger quantities of correlated data than independent sensor monitors. This makes them ideally suited for applications where a complex environment with many interdependent factors must be monitored. The aircraft cabin is one such example of a highly dynamic environment which necessitates the use of an advanced sensing system. Thus, in order to gain a better understanding of the aircraft cabin environment, a wireless sensor network was designed and prototyped. The network is comprised of a variable number of nodes, and each node is capable of adapting to monitor a wide variety of environmental parameters. The system, as described in previous publications, has now entered the testing phase. The current configuration includes twelve nodes sensing temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and barometric pressure. This paper discusses the results from a series of tests conducted with the prototype hardware/software in a mockup of the 767 cabin environment. Tests involved the use of humidifiers, heaters, and carbon dioxide to simulate changes in the cabin environment

Wireless Sensor Network for Aircraft Cabin Environment Sensing

Wireless sensor networks consist of physically distributed autonomous sensor nodes that cooperatively monitor physical or environmental conditions. One of the greatest benefits of wireless sensor networks is that they are capable of generating a more complete view of the sensed environment by acquiring larger quantities of correlated data than independent sensor monitors. The aircraft cabin is a highly dynamic environment which necessitates the use of more advanced sensing systems. It is with the motivation of painting a better picture of the aircraft cabin environment that such a wireless sensor network is being designed and prototyped. This paper discusses the design considerations required for wireless sensor networks in the aircraft cabin environment, as well as an overview of past and present systems developed for use in aircraft cabin environmental sensing. In addition to the sensor network, supporting tools are also discussed to enable analysis of the data collected. The primary goal of this research is to provide sensing tools to enable better characterization of the aircraft cabin environment

Monitoring Aircraft Cabin Particulate Matter Using a Wireless Sensor Network

The semi-enclosed and pressurized nature of the aircraft cabin results in a highly dynamic environment. The dynamic conditions establish spatiotemporal dependent environmental characteristics. Characterization of aircraft cabin environmental and bleed-air conditions have traditionally been done with stand-alone measurement systems which, by their very nature, cannot provide the necessary sensor coverage in such an environment. To this purpose, a prototype wireless sensor network system has been developed that can be deployed in the aircraft cabin environment. Each sensor node in the system incorporates the ability to measure common aircraft contaminants such as particulate matter and carbon dioxide, along with other key environmental factors such as temperature, air pressure, humidity, and sound pressure level. The wireless sensor network enables the collection of time-correlated results from the aircraft cabin, passing sensor data to a central collection point for storage or real-time monitoring. This paper discusses the results of testing this sensor system in a mockup of the Boeing 767 aircraft cabin environment. In this series of tests, both particulate matter and carbon dioxide were introduced into the simulated aircraft environment and measured using an array of 16 wirelessly connected sensor nodes. Two different arrangements of sensor nodes targeted both a two-dimensional plane across the aircraft cabin space and a localized three-dimensional space centered on two rows of the cabin. The test results show successful simultaneous tracking of the particulate matter and carbon dioxide concentrations as they disperse over time

Future Needs of the Cybersecurity Workforce

Expected growth of the job market for cyber security professionals in both the US and the UK remains strong for the foreseeable future. While there are many roles to be found in cyber security, that vary from penetration tester to chief information security officer (CISO). One job of particular interest is security architect. The rise in Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) implementations, especially in the cloud environment, promises an increase in the demand for these security professionals. A security architect requires a set of knowledge, skills, and abilities covering the responsibility for integrating the various security components to successfully support an organization’s goals. In order to achieve the goal of seamless integrated security, the architect must combine technical skills with business, and interpersonal skills. Many of these same skills are required of the CISO, suggesting that the role of security architect may be a professional stepping-stone to the role of CISO. We expected degreed programs to offer courses in security architecture. Accredited university cyber security programs in the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA) were examined for course offerings in security architecture. Results found the majority of programs did not offer a course in security architecture. Considering the role of the universities in preparing C-suite executives, the absence of cyber security architecture offerings is both troubling and surprising