Application-specific Objects Research Articles

Keep the Human in the Loop: Arguments for Human Assistance in the Synthesis of Simulation Data for Robot Training

Robot training often takes place in simulated environments, particularly with reinforcement learning. Therefore, multiple training environments are generated using domain randomization to ensure transferability to real-world applications and compensate for unknown real-world states. We propose improving domain randomization by involving human application experts in various stages of the training process. Experts can provide valuable judgments on simulation realism, identify missing properties, and verify robot execution. Our human-in-the-loop workflow describes how they can enhance the process in five stages: validating and improving real-world scans, correcting virtual representations, specifying application-specific object properties, verifying and influencing simulation environment generation, and verifying robot training. We outline examples and highlight research opportunities. Furthermore, we present a case study in which we implemented different prototypes, demonstrating the potential of human experts in the given stages. Our early insights indicate that human input can benefit robot training at different stages.

Parallel Quadri-valent Quantum-Inspired Gravitational Search Algorithm on a heterogeneous platform for wireless sensor networks

Sensor nodes in a wireless sensor Network are assigned for different operational modes to perfume application-specific objectives. The decision to assign operational modes to nodes is a challenging problem in the presence of multiple criteria including energy-efficient, maintaining network connectivity, and fulfilling application goals. Several metaheuristic methods are introduced in the literature to address this NP-hard problem, however, these methods require further improvements in execution-time and finding the optimum solution. In this research, we propose an improved version of a metaheuristic method called Quadri-valent Quantum-Inspired Gravitational Search Algorithm (QQIGSA) to solve Quadri-valent problems by applying a Not Q-Gate and paralleling QQIGSA method on the graphics processing unit. The proposed method employs a heterogeneous platform and justifies its parameters. The experimental results show that the performance enhancement from 1.8 to 2.25 compared to the previous parallel implementations. Moreover, we achieve the speedup of 8 by using the proposed heterogeneous paralleling technique.

Performance Analysis of On-Demand Scheduling with and without Network Coding in Wireless Broadcast

On-demand broadcast is a scalable approach to disseminating information to a large population of clients while satisfying dynamic needs of clients, such as in vehicular networks. However, in conventional broadcast approaches, only one data item can be retrieved by clients in one broadcast tick. To further improve the efficiency of wireless bandwidth, in this work, we conduct a comprehensive study on incorporating network coding with representative on-demand scheduling algorithms while preserving their original scheduling criteria. In particular, a graph model is derived to maximize the coding benefit based on the clients’ requested and cached data items. Furthermore, we propose a heuristic coding-based approach, which is applicable for all the on-demand scheduling algorithms with low computational complexity. In addition, based on various application requirements, we classify the existing on-demand scheduling algorithms into three groups—real-time, non-real-time and stretch optimal. In view of different application-specific objectives, we implement the coding versions of representative algorithms in each group. Extensive simulation results conclusively demonstrate the superiority of coding versions of algorithms against their non-coding versions on achieving their respective scheduling objectives.

IEEE Access Special Section Editorial: Visual Surveillance and Biometrics: Practices, Challenges, and Possibilities

Visual surveillance is the latest paradigm for social security through machine intelligence. It includes the use of visual data captured by infrared sensors or visible-light cameras mounted in cars, corridors, traffic signals etc. Visual surveillance facilitates the classification of human behavior, crowd activity, and gesture analysis to achieve application-specific objectives.

Subjective and Objective Sound-Quality Evaluation of Adaptive Feedback Cancellation Algorithms

Objective measures are widely used for the perceptual sound-quality evaluation of audio signal processing algorithms. Nevertheless, the use of subjective-evaluation measures remains relevant, in particular when application-specific objective measures are lacking. In this paper, we present a perceptual sound-quality evaluation of different algorithms for adaptive feedback cancellation (AFC), with both speech and music signals. Three algorithms are compared: the block normalized least mean squares algorithm, the prediction-error method (PEM) based frequency-domain adaptive filter, and the PEM-based frequency-domain Kalman filter (PEM-FDKF). The subjective evaluation results for the tested algorithms suggest that there is a large difference in statistical significance, and a corresponding large effect size, between the PEM-FDKF and the other algorithms, when using speech signals. A smaller statistical significance, and a lower effect size, is reported when using music signals. The subjective evaluation results are then compared with the results obtained with several objective measures. The correlation between subjective and objective scores shows that objective measures can be effectively used to predict the sound-quality degradation caused by acoustic feedback and AFC artifacts.

A Bayesian network based solution scheme for the constrained Stochastic On-line Equi-Partitioning Problem

A number of intriguing decision scenarios revolve around partitioning a collection of objects to optimize some application specific objective function. This problem is generally referred to as the Object Partitioning Problem (OPP) and is known to be NP-hard. We here consider a particularly challenging version of OPP, namely, the Stochastic On-line Equi-Partitioning Problem (SO-EPP). In SO-EPP, the target partitioning is unknown and has to be inferred purely from observing an on-line sequence of object pairs. The paired objects belong to the same partition with probability p and to different partitions with probability 1 − p, with p also being unknown. As an additional complication, the partitions are required to be of equal cardinality. Previously, only heuristic sub-optimal solution strategies have been proposed for SO- EPP. In this paper, we propose the first Bayesian solution strategy. In brief, the scheme that we propose, BN-EPP, is founded on a Bayesian network representation of SO-EPP problems. Based on probabilistic reasoning, we are not only able to infer the underlying object partitioning with superior accuracy. We are also able to simultaneously infer p, allowing us to accelerate learning as object pairs arrive. Furthermore, our scheme is the first to support a wide range of constraints on the partitioning (Constrained SO-EPP). Being Bayesian, BN-EPP provides superior performance compared to existing solution schemes. We additionally introduce Walk-BN-EPP, a novel WalkSAT inspired algorithm for solving large scale BN-EPP problems. Finally, we provide a BN-EPP based solution to the problem of order picking, a representative real-life application of BN-EPP.

Design and Simulation of Cmos Ota With 1.0 V, 55db Gain & 5pf Load

Design of very large scale analog integrated circuit (analog VLSI) is very much complex and requires much compromising nature to achieve application specific objective. With maximizing the efforts to reduce power consumption and to reduce W/L ratio, the analog integrated circuit industry is constantly developing smaller power supplies. Now days, challenges of analog integrated circuit designer are to make block of small power supplies with little or no reduction in performance. The CMOS OTA is designed in 25.5nm CMOS technology with 1.0V power supply to observe the configurations. In design of CMOS OTA TANNER EDA TOOL is used. Coding and simulation is done in T-Spice and layout is prepared in L-Edit. D.C analysis, A.C analysis, slew rate and analysis of transient response have been done in T-Spice. Waveforms are observed in W-Edit.

Stability and passivity preserving Petrov–Galerkin approximation of linear infinite-dimensional systems

This contribution presents two approximation methods for linear infinite-dimensional systems that ensure the preservation of stability and passivity. The first approach allows one to approximate internal source free infinite-dimensional systems such that the resulting approximation is a port-controlled Hamiltonian system with dissipation. The second method deals with the class of systems that are not required to have conjugated outputs but only a dissipative system operator. It yields approximations with a dissipative system matrix for which bounds of their stability margin are provided. Both approaches are based on a state space formulation of the infinite-dimensional system. This makes it possible to use the Petrov–Galerkin approximation whose free parameters are partly used for achieving the structure preservation. Since still free parameters remain, further application specific objectives, such as, e.g., moment matching, can be achieved. Both approaches are applied to the approximation of an Euler–Bernoulli beam.

Utility Accrual Real-Time Scheduling under Variable Cost Functions

We present a utility accrual real-time scheduling algorithm called CIC-VCUA for tasks whose execution times are functions of their starting times (and, potentially, other factors). We model such variable execution times using variable cost functions (or VCFs). The algorithm considers application activities that are subject to time/utility function time constraints, execution times described using VCFs, and mutual exclusion constraints on concurrent sharing of non-CPU resources. We consider the twofold scheduling objective of 1) assuring that the maximum interval between any two consecutive, successful completions of job instances in an activity must not exceed the activity period (an application-specific objective) and 2) maximizing the system's total accrued utility while satisfying mutual exclusion resource constraints. Since the scheduling problem is intractable, CIC-VCUA is a polynomial-time heuristic algorithm. The algorithm statically computes worst-case task sojourn times, dynamically selects tasks for execution based on their potential utility density, and completes tasks at specific times. We establish that CIC-VCUA achieves optimal timeliness during underloads, and tightly upper bounds inter and intratask completion times. Our simulation experiments confirm the algorithm's effectiveness and superiority

Multimedia communication in wireless sensor networks

The technological advances in Micro ElectroMechanical Systems (Mems) and wireless communications have enabled the realization of wireless sensor networks (Wsn) comprised of large number of low-cost, low-power, multifunctional sensor nodes. These tiny sensor nodes communicate in short distances and collaboratively work toward fulfilling the application specific objectives ofWsn. However, realization of wide range of envisionedWsn applications necessitates effective communication protocols which can address the unique challenges posed by theWsn paradigm. Since many of these envisioned applications may also involve in collecting information in the form of multimedia such as audio, image, and video; additional challenges due to the unique requirements of multimedia delivery overWsn, e.g., diverse reliability requirements, time constraints, high bandwidth demands, must be addressed as well. Thus far, vast majority of the research efforts has been focused on addressing the problems of conventional data communication inWsn. Therefore, there exists an urgent need for research on the problems of multimedia communication inWsn. In this paper, a survey of the research challenges and the current status of the literature on the multimedia communication inWsn is presented. More specifically, the multimediaWsn applications, factors influencing multimedia delivery overWsn, currently proposed solutions in application, transport, and network layers, are pointed out along with their shortcomings and open research issues.

Virtual Reality Unbound

Virtual reality involves a compelling vision: using computers to create three-dimensional environments that immerse the user in application-specific objects. These objects have a strong sense of spatial presence, and have programmed appearances and behaviors tailored to the virtual environment's task. What could be more compelling than an environment you step into, specially built for your 3D task?

An object-oriented geographic information system shell

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) combine the requirement for graphical display of information with the requirement to manage complex, disk-based data. The object-oriented approach is recognized as an appropriate technology for meeting both of these requirements, and several attempts have been made to build a GIS using object-oriented data management systems. The paper considers the design of a GIS shell by extension of an object-oriented (database) system. A GIS shell does not include any application-specific objects, but extends a basic object-oriented system to provide spatial objects with appropriate behaviour. The starting point for this work was the set of requirements of users of an existing GIS shell. Central objectives are to provide multiple views of application objects, with independence from the stored representation of the spatial attributes. The paper discusses the principles employed in the design of the shell, and a 4-level architecture for organizing shell objects so as to meet the stated objectives. Implementation issues relating to the appropriateness of an object-oriented database management system are discussed towards the end of the paper.

Standards and technology issues in objective voice quality assessment

The need for reliable objective voice quality assessment techniques is growing rapidly. Developers of voice systems and services, procurers of voice communication equipment, and standards organizations all have pressing requirements for voice performance measurement. Many objective assessment measures have been proposed and studied. Currently, an objective technique accurate and robust enough to replace human listeners in all situations does not appear practical. However, the performance of several objective methods (e.g., those being considered by CCITT) is quite promising, and may justify their use in many cases where listener tests can be augmented or replaced completely. Standards defining these objective measures and their intended applications can be expected in the near future. Several important areas of research related to objective voice quality assessment can bde identified: 1. ⊎It is doubtful that even very complex distortion measures will be sufficient to accurately predict voice quality in many real world cases. For example, simple added delay has no effect on perceived quality unless two-way conversation is taking place, in which case the impact can be significant. Other examples include echo, temporal warping (i.e., time varying delay), and even added impulsive noise such as “pops” and “clicks.” A much more involved psychoacoustic model of hearing may be needed to address these impairments, requiring perhaps expert systems or neural network technology to implement the model. 2. ⊎Measures of voice quality are increasingly sought for vocoder, or synthesized, speech. Distortion measures such as discussed in this paper are not directly applicable, since generally no effort is made to reproduce the input voice signal. Only higher level information such as phonemes is transmitted. 3. ⊎Application-specific objective measures may be a better solution than attempting to identify a single parameter for use in all situations. For example, voice transmitted via single sideband radio will be subject to significantly different types of degradation than those found in telephone speech. Perceived quality is also highly dependent on application; an air traffic controller is more concerned with intelligibility than with tonal fidelity, while the opposite may be true for someone using the telephone to call home. The ITS objective method is one approach to this, by allowing a new parameter set and a new training database to be invoked for new applications. These areas and others will see increasing interest as technical and economic pressure continues to build for dependable objective voice quality assessment techniques. Recommendations expected soon from CCITT will likely represent only a partial solution to this difficult problem, and continued research is crucial to develop more robust and reliable techniques.

PROBE spatial data modeling and query processing in an image database application

The PROBE research project has produced results in the areas of data modeling, spatial/temporal query processing, recursive query processing, and database system architecture for nontraditional application areas, many of which involve spatial data and data with complex structure. An overview of PROBE is provided, focusing on the facilities for dealing with spatial and temporal data. It is shown how the PROBE database system and simple application-specific object classes combine to efficiently support PROBE's spatial data model. It is also shown how an image-database application can be supported using PROBE's data model and spatial query processor. The current status of the PROBE project and future plans are discussed.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>