A Modified Hierarchical 3D-Torus (MH3DT) network is a 3D-torus network consisting of multiple basic modules, in which each basic module itself is a 3D-torus network. Inter-node communication performance has been evaluated using dimension-order routing and 2 virtual channels (VCs) under uniform traffic patterns but not under non-uniform traffic patterns. In this paper, we evaluate the inter-node communication performance of MH3DT under five non-uniform traffic patterns and compare it with other networks. We found that under non-uniform traffic patterns, the MH3DT yields high throughput and low latency, providing better inter-node communication performance compared to H3DT, TESH, mesh, and torus networks. Also, we found that non-uniform traffic patterns have higher throughput than uniform traffic in the MH3DT network.

We consider wireless interactive data broadcasting environments consisting of the broadcast channel for data dissemination and the communication channels for client requests. Modeling client impatience as the soft deadline of client requests, we propose a broadcast scheduling based on a combination of periodic scheduling and priority-based scheduling. The server partitions data items into hot and cold-item sets according to the optimized cut-off point. We apply periodic and priority-based scheduling to hot and cold item sets, respectively, in order to maximize the average utility of the items. We investigate the optimized cut-off point by analyzing the average utility of items as a function of the cut-off point. Simulation results show that our proposed algorithm outperforms existing methods in various circumstances in terms of average utility as well as average response time.

A new deadbeat control scheme for linear systems with input constraints is presented. Input constraints exist in most control systems, but in conventional dead-beat control, logical strategy to handle it has not been studied enough. The proposed controller in this paper adjusts the number of steps for dead-beat tracking on-line, in order to achieve delayed deadbeat-tracking performance and satisfy any admissible input constraint. Increasing the number of steps for dead-beat tracking and formulating the corresponding degree of freedom into null-space vectors make it possible to obtain delayed dead-beat tracking, and minimize the inevitable delay, respectively. LMI feasibility problems are solved to numerically obtain the solution and minimize the unavoidable step-delay. As a result, calculation effort is reduced compared to LMI-optimization problem. The proposed schemes can be readily numerically implemented. Its practical usefulness is validated by simulation for 6-axis robot model and experimental results for DC-motor servoing.

Interconnection networks play a crucial role in the performance of massively parallel computers. Hierarchical interconnection networks provide high performance at low cost by exploring the locality that exists in the communication patterns of massively parallel computers. A Tori connected Torus Network (TTN) is a 2D-torus network of multiple basic modules, in which the basic modules are 2D-torus networks that are hierarchically interconnected for higher-level networks. This paper addresses the architectural details of the TTN and explores aspects such as node degree, network diameter, cost, average distance, arc connectivity, bisection width, and wiring complexity. We also present a deadlock-free routing algorithm for the TTN using four virtual channels and evaluate the network's dynamic communication performance using the proposed routing algorithm under uniform and various non-uniform traffic patterns. We evaluate the dynamic communication performance of TTN, TESH, MH3DT, mesh, and torus networks by computer simulation. It is shown that the TTN possesses several attractive features, including constant node degree, small diameter, low cost, small average distance, moderate (neither too low, nor too high) bisection width, and high throughput and very low zero load latency, which provide better dynamic communication performance than that of other conventional and hierarchical networks.

In this letter, we propose a new multi-step maximum likelihood predictor with a finite impulse response (FIR) structure for discrete-time state-space signal models. This predictor is called a maximum likelihood FIR predictor (MLFP). The MLFP is linear with the most recent finite outputs and does not require a prior initial state information on a receding horizon. It is shown that the proposed MLFP possesses the unbiasedness property and the deadbeat property. Simulation study illustrates that the proposed MLFP is more robust against uncertainties and faster in convergence than the conventional multi-step Kalman predictor.

This paper presents a deadbeat control scheme for linear systems with state constraints. The proposed controller increases the number of steps on-line for the deadbeat tracking performance, satisfying given admissible state constraints. LMI conditions are given to minimize the unavoidable step delay. The proposed schemes can be easily developed by using LMI approach, and are validated by numerical simulation.

In this letter, we propose a new H2 smoother (H2S) with a finite impulse response (FIR) structure for discrete-time state-space signal models. This smoother is called an H2 FIR smoother (H2FS). Constraints such as linearity, quasi-deadbeat property, FIR structure, and independence of the initial state information are required in advance to design H2FS that is optimal in the sense of H2 performance criterion. It is shown that H2FS design problem can be converted into the convex programming problem written in terms of a linear matrix inequality (LMI) with a linear equality constraint. Simulation study illustrates that the proposed H2FS is more robust against uncertainties and faster in convergence than the conventional H2S.

Two phase detectors (PD) are proposed to minimize the phase offset and deadzone when used in DLL or PLL. With the shortest symmetrical racing paths from both inputs, the binary PD achieves fast latch operation and theoretical elimination of the setup time. In contrast to the conventional PDs whose offsets are around 10 ps with large sensitivity to sizing, the proposed binary PD shows an offset of less than 1 ps with a reduction of 30-percent delay time. The proposed latch-type binary phase detection is also expanded to form a linear PD by the addition of a reset-generating circuit.

This letter propose a new H∞ smoother (HIS) with a finite impulse response (FIR) structure for discrete-time state-space models. This smoother is called an H∞ FIR smoother (HIFS). Constraints such as linearity, quasi-deadbeat property, FIR structure, and independence of the initial state information are required in advance. Among smoothers with these requirements, we choose the HIFS to optimize H∞ performance criterion. The HIFS is obtained by solving the linear matrix inequality (LMI) problem with a parametrization of a linear equality constraint. It is shown through simulation that the proposed HIFS is more robust against uncertainties and faster in convergence than the conventional HIS.

This letter proves the finish time predictability of EDZL (Earliest Deadline Zero Laxity) scheduling algorithm for multiprocessor real-time systems, which is a variant of EDF. Based on the results, it also shows that EDZL can successfully schedule any periodic task set if its total utilization is not greater than (m+1)/2, where m is the number of processors.

In this paper, we discuss a new property, named dead, of (dataflow) program nets. We say that a node of a program net is dead iff the node cannot fire once in any possible firing sequence, and furthermore the program net is partially dead. We tackle a problem of deciding whether a given program net is partially dead, named dead problem. Program nets can be classified into four subclasses: general, acyclic, SWITCH-less, and acyclic SWITCH-less nets. For each subclass, we give a method of solving dead problem and its computation complexity. Our results show that (i) acyclic SWITCH-less nets are not partially dead; (ii) for SWITCH-less nets, dead problem can be solved in polynomial time; (iii) for acyclic nets and general nets, dead problem is intractable.

This paper deals with new fuzzy controller for handling systems having large dead time and nonlinearities, via approximations of large rule fuzzy logic controller by simplest fuzzy controller (4 rules). The error between large rule fuzzy controller and simplest fuzzy controller are compensated by proposed compensating factors. These compensating factors are modified to handle large dead time and nonlinear systems. Features of proposed approximations are discussed. The concept of variation of nonlinearity factor of fuzzy controller is also discussed. Various processes from different literatures are utilized to demonstrate the proposed methodology. After doing many simulations it has been found that with proper tuning, overall system handles large dead time and nonlinearity which may be difficult by conventional methods. The processes are also simulated for load disturbances and change of operating point (set point) and it has been found that proposed scheme is robust for long dead times.

Multihop techniques in CDMA radio access networks, enable dead-spot mobile stations, which cannot communicate with base stations directly, to send data to them via other mobile stations. In this paper, we propose a mechanism for establishing connections and relaying packets between mobile stations. In this mechanism, the mobile stations are connected to one another and relay packets through a random access channel, which is an uplink common channel. In addition, our mechanism satisfies the requirements for applying multihop techniques to third generation radio access networks. Moreover, we also discuss our evaluation of the performance of the mechanism through computer simulations. The results we obtained reveal that it is capable of reducing dead-spot mobile stations and improving throughput with only limited modifications to conventional systems. Furthermore, we propose an adaptive transmission power control to enhance our mechanism and also evaluate this method through computer simulations.

This paper reports our study of how to gain consistency of states in a ball-game typed Distributed Virtual Environment (DVE) with lag, in peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture. That is, we are studying how to reduce in real-time the difference of states between the participating terminals in a virtual ball game caused by transmission lag or update interval. We are also studying how to control shared objects in real-time in a server-less network architecture. Specifically, a priority field called Allocated Topographical Zone (AtoZ) is used in P2P for DVE. By implementing this function, each terminal can compute which avatar holds the ownership of a shared object by calculating mutually the state of the local avatar predicted by the remote terminals. The region for ownership determined by AtoZ allows an avatar to access and control an object dominantly, so that a geometrical property is dynamically changed depending upon the relative arrangement between the object and avatars. Moreover considering the critical case, defined as inconsistent phenomena between the peers, caused by the network latency, a stricter ownership determination algorithm, called dead zone is introduced. By using these protocols in combination, a robust and effective scheme is achieved for a virtual ball game. As an example of the application, a real-time networked doubles air-hockey is implemented for evaluation of the influence of these protocols on interactivity and on consistency.

Multiprocessor architecture becomes common on real-time systems as the workload of real-time systems increases. Recently new deadline-based (EDF-based) multiprocessor scheduling algorithms are devised, and comparative studies on the performance of these algorithms are necessary. In this paper, we compare EDZL, a hybrid of EDF and LLF, with other deadline-based scheduling algorithms such as EDF, EDF-US[m/(2m-1)], and fpEDF. We show EDZL schedules all task sets schedulable by EDF. The experimental results show that the number of preemptions of EDZL is comparable to that of EDF and the schedulable utilization bound of EDZL is higher than those of other algorithms we consider.

Three-dimensional (3D) wafer stacked implementation (WSI) has been proposed as a promising technology for massively parallel computers. A hierarchical 3D-torus (H3DT) network, which is a 3D-torus network of multiple basic modules in which the basic modules are 3D-mesh networks, has been proposed for efficient 3D-WSI. However, the restricted use of physical links between basic modules in the higher level networks reduces the dynamic communication performance of this network. A torus network has better dynamic communication performance than a mesh network. Therefore, we have modified the H3DT network by replacing the 3D-mesh modules by 3D-tori, calling it a Modified H3DT (MH3DT) network. This paper addresses the architectural details of the MH3DT network and explores aspects such as degree, diameter, cost, average distance, arc connectivity, bisection width, and wiring complexity. We also present a deadlock-free routing algorithm for the MH3DT network using two virtual channels and evaluate the network's dynamic communication performance under the uniform traffic pattern, using the proposed routing algorithm. It is shown that the MH3DT network possesses several attractive features including small diameter, small cost, small average distance, better bisection width, and better dynamic communication performance.

This paper addresses the scheduling problem of a class of automated manufacturing systems with multiple resource requests. In the automated manufacturing system model, a set of jobs is to be processed and each job requires a sequence of operations. Each operation may need more than one resource type and multiple identical units with the same resource type. Upon the completion of an operation, resources needed in the next operation of the same job cannot be released and the remaining resources cannot be released until the start of the next operation. The scheduling problem is formulated by Timed Petri nets model under which the scheduling goal consists in sequencing the transition firing sequence in order to avoid the deadlock situation and to minimize the makespan. In the proposed genetic algorithm with deadlock-free constraint, Petri net transition sequence is coded and a deadlock detection method based on D-siphon technology is proposed to reschedule the sequence of transitions. The enabled transitions should be fired as early as possible and thus the quality of solutions can be improved. In the fitness computation procedure, a penalty item for the infeasible solution is involved to prevent the search process from converging to the infeasible solution. The method proposed in this paper can get a feasible scheduling strategy as well as enable the system to achieve good performance. Numerical results presented in the paper show the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.

A workflow definition containing errors might cause serious problems for an enterprise especially when it involves mission critical business processes or inter-organizational interaction. So workflow definitions should be defined in a strict and rigorous way. In this paper, we develop a workflow definition language and analysis methods for the language to support strict and rigorous workflow definitions. Faults or mistakes causing communication deadlock, access conflicts, and improper exception specification in workflow definitions can be detected and notified automatically using the methods. The proposed workflow definition language borrows structured constructs of conventional programming languages because many good features of conventional programming languages also can be used effectively in expressing workflow processes. With slight modifications and scope restrictions, the developed analysis techniques in this paper can be used in any workflow definition languages and they can help workflow designers define workflow processes in much more safe and reliable manner.

With the explosive growth of the Internet system, demands for broadband communication networks have rapidly increased to provide high quality network services. For this purpose, the IEEE 802.6 MAC standard protocol defines the distributed-queue dual bus (DQDB) for metropolitan area networks (MANs). The isochronous channel reuse problem (ICRP) has been studied for efficient use of DQDB by finding proper channel assignments to incoming connection requests. In this paper, we first define the generalized isochronous channel reuse problem (GICRP) as a generalization of ICRP, to afford demands of simultaneously satisfying plural connection requests such as for multicast applications, where certain sets of connection requests must be assigned channels simultaneously. We prove the NP-completeness of its decision problem. Then, we propose a minimum dead space (MDS) algorithm as a heuristic approach to GICRP. The extensive simulation results show that with shorter computation time, our MDS algorithm can always find better channel assignments reducing the waiting time for packet transmissions than the best existing algorithm for conventional ICRP.

Interconnection networks play a crucial role in the performance of massively parallel computers. Hierarchical interconnection networks provide high performance at low cost by exploring the locality that exists in the communication patterns of massively parallel computers. A Hierarchical Torus Network (HTN) is a 2D-torus network of multiple basic modules, in which the basic modules are 3D-torus networks that are hierarchically interconnected for higher level networks. The static network performance of the HTN has already been studied and has been shown to be good. Dynamic communication performance has been evaluated under uniform traffic pattern but not under non-uniform traffic patterns. In this paper, we present a deadlock-free routing algorithm for the HTN using 3 virtual channels and evaluate the network's dynamic communication performance under three non-uniform traffic patterns, using the proposed routing algorithm. We evaluate the dynamic communication performance of HTN, H3D-mesh, H3D-torus, TESH, and mesh networks by computer simulation. We find that the dynamic communication performance of HTN is better than that of the H3D-mesh, H3D-torus, TESH, and mesh networks.