ITR: Information Dynamics for Networked Feedback Systems

这个项目正在开发一个新的框架，用于研究复杂的、相互关联的系统中的动态信息。该项目的关键技术重点是：(1)实时信息论；(2)网络鲁棒控制；(3)基于数据包的控制理论；(4)网络系统的计算复杂性。这些重点探索信息系统的各个方面，这些信息系统必须以一种需要仔细控制计算时间和系统信息状态演变的方式与现实世界进行交互。虽然在应用上各不相同，但这些重点代表了集成了计算机科学、控制和通信的知识重点的共同核心。这项研究的结果正在加州理工学院的两个试验台上进行评估。第一个是多车无线试验台，它提供了一个分布式环境，用于控制8-10辆在实时环境中执行协作任务的车辆。第二个是实验室中的广域网，一个由高速服务器、可编程路由器、电子交叉连接和带相关光放大器、色散补偿模块和光多路复用器的长途光纤组成的广域网。该项目还在开发一门课程的内容，为学生提供融合通信、计算和控制的信息系统方面的培训。这包括将我们的研究框架整合到加州理工学院最近开设的一门关于反馈和控制原则的课程CDS 101中，以及开发第二门课程IST201，旨在将对这些传统学科边界问题感兴趣的教师和学生聚集在一起。

This project is developing a new framework for investigating the dynamics ofinformation in complex, interconnected systems. The key technical thrustsof the project are: (1) real-time information theory, (2) robust control ofnetworks, (3) packet-based control theory,and (4) computational complexityof network systems. Each of these thrusts explores aspects of informationsystems that must interact with the real-world in a manner that requirescareful control of the timing of the computation and the evolution of theinformation state of the system. While diverse in application, thesethrusts represent a common core of intellectual thrusts that integratecomputer science, control, and communications.The results of the proposed research are being evaluated on two testbedsalready at Caltech. The first is the Multi-Vehicle Wireless Testbed, whichprovides a distributed environment for control of 8-10 vehicles performingcooperative tasks in a real-time environment. The second is the WAN in Lab,a wide area network consisting of high speed servers, programmable routers,electronic crossconnects, and long haul fibers with associated opticalamplifiers, dispersion compensation modules and optical multiplexers.The project is also developing elements of a curriculum that will providetraining to students in information systems that blends communications,computation, and control. This includes integration our the researchframework into a recently created course at Caltech on the principles offeedback and control, CDS 101, as well as development a second course, IST201, aimed at bringing together faculty and students interested in workingon problems at the boundaries of these traditional disciplines.