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

本文研究的是地理上分布的复杂实时系统在异质通信网络上的可靠控制问题。它的目的是发展基于网络的控制的基础，从理论到应用。总体目标是：设计、分析、实现受有线和无线子网组成的分层和异质网络影响的分布式和非集中式控制算法和中间件的性能特征，规范和实现在分层异质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，并展示使用这种网络为一些新兴的商业和科学/工程应用提供高效和容错的远程控制。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规定的信息传输的分散、分布式和延迟方面。基础研究，以利用分布式稳健容错控制的最新发展，并建立一种新的理论，通过使用动态游戏的框架，在不同的网络上对远程对象进行多方面控制。开发动态和自适应方法，用于大系统的表示和相关控制策略的计算，使用分层、自适应图和分布式代理。设计和实现与主节点通信协议交互的算法和中间件，为协调分布式控制应用的实现提供必要的支持。此外，设计并实现了一个支持硬截止期和严格服务质量保证的嵌入式实时操作系统内核。开发一个演示原型，以部署在由无线子网、局域网和互联网主机的校园网节点组成的小规模异质分层网络上。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复使用的仿真和设计软件，以便研究成果可以用于其他研究人员、从业者和行业。我们设想了许多未来的场景，在这些场景中，这项研究计划的结果将得到应用。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.