ITR: Hierarchical and Reconfigurable Schemes for Distributed Control over Heterogeneous Networks

本文研究的是异构通信网络中地理分布的复杂实时系统的可靠控制问题。它旨在发展基于网络的控制的基础，从理论到应用。总体目标是：受有线和无线子网组成的分层和异构网络影响的分布式和分散控制算法和中间件的设计、分析、实现和性能表征，以及在分层异构网络上开发和部署分布式控制算法所需的网络服务和支持的规范和实现。以及在一些新兴的商业和科学/工程应用中使用这种网络的高效和容错远程控制的演示。我们的研究议程将涵盖以下领域：研究基于网络的控制理论，强调并考虑特定网络结构和带宽限制所决定的信息传输的分散，分布式和延迟方面。基础研究利用分布式鲁棒容错控制的最新发展，并建立一个新的理论在异构网络上远程对象的多方面控制，也使用动态博弈的框架。开发动态和自适应的方法来表示大型系统和相关控制策略的计算，使用分层，自适应图和分布式代理。算法和中间件的设计和实现，它们将与主机节点通信协议交互，并为协调分布式控制应用程序的实现提供必要的支持。此外，设计和实现了一个嵌入式实时操作系统内核，该内核将支持硬截止日期和严格的QoS保证。开发一个示范原型，部署在一个小规模的异构分层网络上，该网络由无线子网和校园范围内的局域网节点和互联网主机组成。除了开发新的分析范式和方法外，研究计划的一个组成部分是开发可重用的仿真和设计软件，以便研究成果可以被其他研究人员，从业者和行业所利用。我们设想了许多未来的场景，这些场景将适用于这项研究计划的结果。其中包括卫星控制、空中交通控制、高速公路拥堵控制、飞机远程导航、电力网络、电子商务和远程手术。

Research proposed here deals with the problem of reliable control of geographically distributed complex real-time systems over a heterogeneous communication network. It is aimed at developing thefoundations of network-based control, from theory to applications. The overall objectives are: the design, analysis, implementation, and performance characterization of distributed and decen-tralized control algorithms and middleware that are affected through hierarchical and heteroge-neous networks comprised of wired and wireless subnets, and the specification and implementation of network services and support required for the development and deployment of distributed control algorithms over hierarchical heterogeneous networks, and demonstration of efficient and fault tolerant remote control using such networks for a number of emerging commercial and scientific/engineering applications.Our research agenda will cover the following domains: Research toward a network based control theory that emphasizes and accounts for decentralized, distributed and delay aspects of information transmission dictated by speciffic network structures, and bandwidth limitations. Basic research to leverage the latest developments in distributed robust fault-tolerant control, and to build a new theory for multifaceted control of remote objects over heterogeneous networks, using also the framework of dynamic games. Development of dynamic and adaptive methods for representation of large systems and computation of associated control strategies, using of hierarchical, adaptive graphs and distributed agents. Design and implementation of algorithms and middleware that will interact with the host-node communication protocols and provide the necessary support for the implementation of coordinated distributed control applications. Furthermore, design and implementation of an embedded real-time operating system kernel which will support hard deadlines and stringent QoS guarantees. Development of a demonstration prototype to be deployed on a small-scale heterogeneous hierarchical network comprised of a wireless subnetwork and campus-wide nodes of local area and Internet hosts.In addition to the development of new analytical paradigms and approaches, a component of the research program is the development of reusable simulation and design software, so that the research output can be parlayed to other researchers, practitioners, and industry. We envision numerous future scenarios where the results from this research program will apply. Among these are satellite control, air traffic control, congestion control over highways, remote guidance of airplanes, power networks, electronic commerce, and remote surgery.