Digital Architecture Research Articles

Industrial Internet Identity Resolution+5G Full Connection Digital Factory Research

In this paper, in order to help improve the information capacity of modern factories, a full connection digital factory for industrial Internet identity resolution is built, and digital technology is used to perform the digital interconnection of the production equipment. The full connection digital factory is an advanced factory with extensive connection of production units, deep integration of IT–OT, full release of data value, and improvement of the total factor productivity. This is enabled by the full integration and use of the new generation technologies represented by 5G, edge computing, and identity resolution to reach new factory level, workshop level, and production line level production scenarios. Based on the integration of infrastructure, information technology, and platform service resources, a full connection digital factory architecture is constructed. The fusion application of 5G, edge computing, and mark resolution technology in transformer discrete manufacturing digital plant is then discussed. The challenges and development trends are summarized. Finally, it is demonstrated that the full connection digital factory of identity resolution is a possible future development direction.

Borderline practices on Douyin/TikTok: Content transfer and algorithmic manipulation

TikTok continues to be the top downloaded app in many countries around the world as the short video consumption craze continues. But TikTok has also come under harsh scrutiny for its Chinese origins and data security. For TikTok, the journey of globalization has involved a painful contest with governments, geopolitical manoeuvrers, and, ultimately, finding platform regulation loopholes. TikTok’s sister app, Douyin, shares identical digital architectures, but follows different trajectories of development in China. Through interviews with Chinese influencers and media practitioners, along with a content analysis of policy documents and industry reports, this paper identifies and analyzes the borderline practices that have occurred on Douyin – including content transfers, and algorithmic platformization – and evaluates the potential for these practices to be replicated on TikTok.

Digital twin inception in the Era of industrial metaverse

Digital Twins, as a technological pillar of Industry 4.0, correspond to the virtual representation and bi-fold a real-time communication of a digital counterpart of a process or a physical object. As the industrial and manufacturing landscape is shifting towards Industry 5.0, huge investments focusing on enhancing interactions between Operators and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) occur. Yet, Metaverse strengthens these interactions as it enables human immersion into a virtual world. Furthermore, it examines the very promising relationships between the CPS, through the digital twins of these CPS. Therefore, this short review presents the concept of the Digital Twin inception in Industrial Metaverse. Additionally, a service-oriented digital twin architecture with Metaverse-enabled platforms for added value creation and interactions with CPS towards achieving Industry 5.0 challenges and beyond is proposed.

Design and Analysis of Multiplexer based Approximate Adder for Low Power Applications

Low power consumption is crucial for error-acceptable multimedia devices, with picture compression approaches leveraging various digital processing architectures and algorithms. Humans can assemble useful information from partially inaccurate outputs in many multimedia applications. As a result, producing exact outputs is not required. The demand for an exact outcome is fading because new innovative systems are forgiving of faults. In the domain where error-tolerance is accepted, approximate computing is a new paradigm that relaxes the requirement for an accurate modeling while offering power, time, and delay benefits. Adders are an essential arithmetic module for regulating power and memory usage in digital systems. The recent implementation and use of approximate adders have been supported by trade-off characteristics such as delay, lower power consumption. This study examines the delay and power consumption of conventional and approximate adders. Also, a simple, fast, and power-efficient multiplexer-based approximate adder is proposed, and its performance outperforms the adders compared with existing adders. The proposed adder can be utilized in error-tolerant and various digital signal processing applications where exact results are not required. The proposed and existing adders are designed using EDA software for the performance calculations. With a delay of 81 pS, the proposed adder circuit reduces power consumption compared to the exact one. The experiment shows that the designed approximate adder can be used to implement circuits for image processing systems because it has a smaller delay and uses less energy.

Methodological research of financial sector digital transformation trends in banking

The article analyzes the current problems of the financial sector within the framework digital transformation and the gradual transition to digital service financial transactions. The object of research is the Ukrainian financial banking sector, the peculiarities of which functioning at this stage crisis economy Ukraine require finding adaptation ways for the introduction digital transformation procedures. The subject is financial relations in the digital adaptation sphere and innovative development banking through the prism involvement of tools and information technologies in financial system, in general, and financial operations and procedures, in particular. The problems domestic financial sector transformation became more acute in connection with the mass transition to remote channels interaction with clients, first due to the restrictions that were applied as a result the COVID-19 pandemic, and then due to the armed aggression of russia to Ukraine. The research methodology is based on a comprehensive assessment dynamic changes in the financial environment and the creation a basis for modeling predictive scenarios and strategies based on the study existing situation, theoretical basis development and financial and banking sector development directions for effective interaction in Ukrainian economy conditions. The Ukrainian banking system trends changes are outlined. The peculiarities of the international development financial and banking sphere are defined, a comparison with the world experience is outlined, analytical studies best global cases are carried out for the possibility introducing the results to the Ukrainian financial space. The research results about digital capabilities banking sphere in Ukraine are presented, the essential content banking, the properties system, the peculiarities building a banking digital architecture and architectonics through the prism of components and tools for a banking strategy model are presented. Attention is paid to the innovative development of the banking sector and directions for attracting investment resources. Procedures for creating digital opportunities transition financial sector and reengineering business processes for companies when transitioning to a digital format commercial activity have been worked out, that will be of theoretical and applied importance for further research by scientists from different countries. The authors offer recommendations to solving the digitization problems of the Ukrainian financial sector. The research results of the digital transformation direction in banking sector are presented for further use in modeling Ukrainian`s business post-war recovery scenarios.

A bio-inspired LIDA cognitive-based Digital Twin architecture for unmanned maintenance of machine tools

Affected by COVID-19, the maintenance process of machine tools is significantly hindered, while unmanned maintenance becomes an emerging trend in such background. So far, three challenges, namely, the dependence on maintenance experts, the dynamic maintenance environments, and unsynchronized interactions between physical and information sides, exist as the main obstacles in its widespread applications. In order to fill this gap, a bio-inspired LIDA cognitive-based Digital Twin architecture is proposed, so as to achieve unmanned maintenance of machine tools through a self-constructed, self-evaluated, and self-optimized manner. A three phases process in the architecture, including the physical phase, virtual phase, and service phase, is further introduced to support the cognitive cycle for unmanned maintenance of machine tools. An illustrative example is depicted in the unmanned fault diagnosis on the rolling bearing of a drilling platform, which validates the feasibility and advantages of the proposed architecture. As an explorative study, it is wished that this work provides useful insights for unmanned maintenance of machine tools in a dynamic production environment.

Wavenumber-Division Multiplexing in Line-of-Sight Holographic MIMO Communications

Starting from first principles of wave propagation, we consider a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) representation of a communication system between two spatially-continuous volumes. This is the concept of holographic MIMO communications. The analysis takes into account the electromagnetic interference, generated by external sources, and the constraint on the physical radiated power. The electromagnetic MIMO model is particularized for a pair of parallel line segments in line-of-sight conditions. Inspired by orthogonal-frequency division-multiplexing, we assume that the spatially-continuous transmit currents and received fields are represented using the Fourier basis functions. In doing so, a wavenumber-division multiplexing (WDM) scheme is obtained, which is not optimal but can be efficiently implemented. The interplay among the different system parameters (e.g., transmission range, wavelength, and sizes of source and receiver) in terms of number of communication modes and level of interference among them is studied with conventional tools of linear systems theory. Due to the non-finite support (in the spatial domain) of the electromagnetic channel, WDM cannot provide non-interfering communication modes. The interference decreases as the receiver size grows, and goes to zero only asymptotically. Different digital processing architectures, operating in the wavenumber domain, are thus used to deal with the interference. The simplest implementation provides the same spectral efficiency of a singular-value decomposition architecture with water-filling when the receiver size is comparable to the transmission range. The developed framework is also used to represent a communication scheme that performs only an integration over short spatial segments. This is equivalent to a classical MIMO system with uniform linear arrays made of electrically small dipoles. Numerical comparisons show that better performance than WDM can be achieved only when a higher number of radio-frequency chains is used.

Current trends in organising the digital public administration architecture as a new development paradigm

Current global trends of digitalization form a new development paradigm, which entails fundamental changes in the processes of strategic modernization of public administration. The study aims to identify trends in the digital transformation of public administration as a condition for increasing social value through the formation of a platform paradigm. The authors have developed a model of digital technological architectural environment of public administration, which allows to significantly improve the process of digital interaction with society, with business, but most importantly, to improve the process of efficiency of the state system in the quality of public service delivery. The authors have structured the definition of the digital transformation of public administration, which represents a transition from the traditional to a holistic transformative approach of digital government. This article describes the key processes that will define the strategic contours of the digital transformation of public administration, associated with the launch of the next innovation and technology cycle. The authors have shaped the prospects of using the possibilities of digitalization of public administration, including its digital restructuring, to further its assimilation of the principle of management by results, to improve its efficiency. To solve the research problems, the authors used a set of scientific methods: system analysis, abstraction, analysis and synthesis. The main method of research was content analysis. The result of the study is a comprehensive forecast of possible stages of modernization of public administration in conditions of deep penetration of digital technologies, which improve the provision of public services. The development of architectural technological environment will ensure the standardization of digital systems aimed at efficient digital public administration, combining ease of use with high functionality. The conclusions formed on the implementation of the results of the study will contribute to scientific research aimed at implementing structural change programmes in public administration.

Mimarlığın Dijital Habitusu: Tasarım odaklı İnternet Kullanım Pratiği

This study examines the visual-search and information-gathering behavior of architects in the early architectural design phase in relation to varied media tools. The study proposes the idea that navigation skills in online media help designers discover more creative solution areas during their design process. In continuation of our research, conceptual conclusions are made based on the results obtained from the field study and the literature review. In this context, we discuss the concept constituting the habitus of digital architecture. We re-evaluated our conceptual proposal by applying design experiments to examine the phenomena contained in the habitus of design-oriented research. We have discussed the results from the experiments in this article in detail; focusing on whether correlation exists between the interviewees’ expressions and designers’ practices. We then adapted field theory, as elaborated by Pierre Bourdieu in 1984, to the digital habitus of architecture. Afterward, by taking the process of design-oriented knowledge production into account, we have identified two fields of design-oriented digital habitus: online and offline. The fields forming the habitus of digital architecture and the possible advantages that may occur based on these fields have been identified. Finally, the meaning of having digital privilege for architects has been evaluated in terms of the future of architecture.

Development of a Platform for Distributed Energy Resources Management on the Basis of a Digital Twin

The paper discusses the development of a platform for distributed energy resources management based on digital twins. The platform use cases include demand response, electric vehicle charging, peer-to-peer energy trading, storage scheduling, virtual power plant, and so on. Thanks to the digital twin, the platform can perform the use cases controlling either real operation-stage equipment or virtual design-stage simulation models. The platform offers mass distributed energy resources owners and operators to improve the power supply quality (including stability), reduce costs (including transaction overhead), and gain emerging market opportunities (including participation in various aggregators' programs). Software and equipment vendors are interested in the platform's capability to quickly assemble distributed energy management systems almost without programming. The digital twin and the platform are designed with the viewpoint-based approach established by the international systems engineering standard ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010. The typical power system digital twin architecture is described. The major kinds of mathematical models as part of digital twins are presented: physical models based on numerical solutions of differential equations and optimization problems, machine learning models, knowledge-based models. The interoperability of such heterogeneous models is ensured on the basis of the ontological model of distributed energy. The platform architecture is represented from three key viewpoints: functional, information, and software. To formalize and ultimately automate the integration of heterogeneous models, we propose novel mathematical methods of model-based system engineering based on category theory, including universal constructions and the multicomma. The multicomma category is shown to be constructed using standard product, exponent, and pushout constructions, which makes it possible to establish a number of its practically significant properties.

Time-to-digital conversion techniques: a survey of recent developments

Time-to-digital converters (TDCs) are key components of time-mode circuits and enablers for digital processing of analog signals encoded in time. Since design of time-mode circuits facilitates replacing analog blocks with digital circuitry, TDCs pave the way to hardware-efficient and purely digital architectures in deep-submicron semiconductor technology. The design and implementation of modern TDCs is heterogeneous, shaped in multiple directions, and driven by CMOS process downscaling along with application demands. The substantial research effort is made in more intensive digital implementations, optimization of techniques for high resolution, increasing input range and linearity, reduced conversion time, power consumption and silicon area. The calibration and mismatch-tolerant, as well as anti-PVT-variation and anti-metastability design techniques are of growing importance in order to alleviate imperfections of nanoscale CMOS technologies. The paper surveys recent developments of time-to-digital conversion techniques to give a possibly comprehensive picture of major trends and design advancements. Finally, we highlight TDC design challenges for cutting-edge applications such as All-Digital Phase Locked Loops for high data rate wirelesss communication systems operating in the millimeter-wave band.

Framework of Virtual Plantation Forest Modeling and Data Analysis for Digital Twin

Plantation forests, cultivated through artificial seeding and planting methods, are of great significance to human society. However, most experimental sites for these forests are located in remote areas. Therefore, in-depth studies on remote forest management and off-site experiments can better meet the experimental and management needs of researchers. Based on an experimental plantation forest of Triploid Populus Tomentosa, this paper proposes a digital twin architecture for a virtual poplar plantation forest system. The framework includes the modeling of virtual plantation and data analysis. Regarding this system architecture, this paper theoretically analyzes the three main entities of the physical world, digital world, and researchers contained in it, as well as their interaction mechanisms. For virtual plantation modeling, a tree modeling method based on LiDAR point cloud data was adopted. The transitional particle flow method was proposed to combine with AdTree method for tree construction, followed by integration with other models and optimization. For plantation data analysis, a database based on forest monitoring data was established. Tree growth equations were derived by fitting the tree diameter at breast height data, which were then used to predict and simulate trends in diameter-related data that are difficult to measure. The experimental result shows that a preliminary digital twin-oriented poplar plantation system can be constructed based on the proposed framework. The system consists of 2160 trees and simulations of 10 types of monitored or predicted data, which provides a new practical basis for the application of digital twin technology in the forestry field. The optimized tree model consumes over 67% less memory, while the R2 of the tree growth equation with more than 100 data items could reach more than 87%, which greatly improves the performance and accuracy of the system. Thus, utilizing forestry information networking and digitization to support plantation forest experimentation and management contributes to advancing the digital transformation of forestry and the realization of a smart management model for forests.

Modeling production disorder: Procedures for digital twins of flexibility-driven manufacturing systems

While the achievement of mix flexibility is a key driver of competitive advantage for a manufacturing organization, it also represents a source of disruption on the shop floor that may compromise managers' ability to diagnose problems, predict behavior, and make decisions adequately. Given this challenge, the digital twin emerges as a potential tool to reestablish managers’ operational visibility. Its architecture allows for a manufacturing system model to be continuously updated and for management support services to be promptly delivered. Although some studies explore the use of the digital twin to solve specific flexibility-related challenges, the literature lacks a normative and systematic approach to guide the application of this technological architecture in a comprehensive set of flexibility scenarios. To address this gap, based on the normative knowledge acquired from the literature and subject-matter experts, we present procedures to design, implement, and use the digital twin within organizations that suffer flexibility-driven disruptions. We demonstrate the application of these procedures through a case in a large automotive parts manufacturer. Results show that the procedures effectively operationalize a digital twin architecture aimed at contributing to the achievement of a flexible production strategy.

A Scoping Review of Voxel-Model Applications to Enable Multi-Domain Data Integration in Architectural Design and Urban Planning

Although voxel models have been applied to address diverse problems in computer-aided design processes, their role in multi-domain data integration in digital architecture and planning has not been extensively studied. The primary objective of this study is to map the current state of the art and to identify open questions concerning data structuring, integration, and modeling and design of multi-scale objects and systems in architecture. Focus is placed on types of voxel models that are linked with computer-aided design models. This study utilizes a semi-systematic literature review methodology that combines scoping and narrative methodology to examine different types and uses of voxel models. This is done across a range of disciplines, including architecture, spatial planning, computer vision, geomatics, geosciences, manufacturing, and mechanical and civil engineering. Voxel-model applications can be found in studies addressing generative design, geomatics, material science and computational morphogenesis. A targeted convergence of these approaches can lead to integrative, holistic, data-driven design approaches. We present (1) a summary and systematization of the research results reported in the literature in a novel manner, (2) the identification of research gaps concerning voxel-based data structures for multi-domain and trans-scalar data integration in architectural design and urban planning, and (3) any further research questions.

Estimation of Leaf Area Index in a Typical Northern Tropical Secondary Monsoon Rainforest by Different Indirect Methods

The leaf area index (LAI) is a crucial indicator for quantifying forest productivity and community ecological processes. Satellite remote sensing can achieve large-scale LAI monitoring, but it needs to be calibrated and validated according to the in situ measurements on the ground. In this study, we attempted to use different indirect methods to measure LAI in a tropical secondary forest. These methods included the LAI-2200 plant canopy analyzer (LAI-2200), Digital Hemispherical Photography (DHP), Tracing Radiation and Architecture of Canopies (TRAC), and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) (using single-station and multi-station measurements, respectively). Additionally, we tried to correct the measured LAI by obtaining indicators of woody components and clumping effects. The results showed that the LAI of this forest was large, with estimated values of 5.27 ± 1.16, 3.69 ± 0.74, 5.86 ± 1.09, 4.93 ± 1.33, and 3.87 ± 0.89 for LAI-2200, DHP, TRAC, TLS multi-station, and TLS single-station, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the different methods. LAI-2200 was significantly correlated with all other methods (p < 0.01), with the strongest correlation with DHP (r = 0.684). TRAC was significantly correlated with TLS single-station (p < 0.01, r = 0.283). TLS multi-station was significantly correlated with TLS single-station (p < 0.05, r = 0.266). With the multi-station measurement method, TLS could maximize the compensation for measurement bias due to the shadowing effects. In general, the clumping index of this forest was 0.94 ± 0.05, the woody-to-total area ratio was 3.23 ± 2.22%, and the total correction coefficient was 1.03 ± 0.07. After correction, the LAI estimates for all methods were slightly higher than before, but there was no significant difference among them. Based on the performance assessment of existing ground-based methods, we hope to enhance the inter-calibration between methods to improve their estimation accuracy under complex forest conditions and advance the validation of remote sensing inversion of the LAI. Moreover, this study also provided a practical reference to promote the application of LiDAR technology in tropical forests.

A Compact and High-Performance Acoustic Echo Canceller Neural Processor Using Grey Wolf Optimizer along with Least Mean Square Algorithms

Recently, the use of acoustic echo canceller (AEC) systems in portable devices has significantly increased. Therefore, the need for superior audio quality in resource-constrained devices opens new horizons in the creation of high-convergence speed adaptive algorithms and optimal digital designs. Nowadays, AEC systems mainly use the least mean square (LMS) algorithm, since its implementation in digital hardware architectures demands low area consumption. However, its performance in acoustic echo cancellation is limited. In addition, this algorithm presents local convergence optimization problems. Recently, new approaches, based on stochastic optimization algorithms, have emerged to increase the probability of encountering the global minimum. However, the simulation of these algorithms requires high-performance computational systems. As a consequence, these algorithms have only been conceived as theoretical approaches. Therefore, the creation of a low-complexity algorithm potentially allows the development of compact AEC hardware architectures. In this paper, we propose a new convex combination, based on grey wolf optimization and LMS algorithms, to save area and achieve high convergence speed by exploiting to the maximum the best features of each algorithm. In addition, the proposed convex combination algorithm shows superior tracking capabilities when compared with existing approaches. Furthermore, we present a new neuromorphic hardware architecture to simulate the proposed convex combination. Specifically, we present a customized time-multiplexing control scheme to dynamically vary the number of search agents. To demonstrate the high computational capabilities of this architecture, we performed exhaustive testing. In this way, we proved that it can be used in real-world acoustic echo cancellation scenarios.

Ship digital twin architecture for optimizing sailing automation

A fully autonomous ship should be monitored in a digital environment to track its real-time response to the changes in its surroundings. It is commanded by a controller algorithm whose optimum parameters is subject to change with respect to the changes in the environment. The ship's response with respect to these variations in the controller parameters need to be tracked to develop a full understanding of the ship's autonomy. As such, it is believed that the digital twin of a ship is an essential component of the path to fully autonomous ships. Despite maritime institutions not giving the credit to it yet, the ship digital twin concept is expected to be one of the leading topics in marine engineering soon. In this study, we try to establish the ship digital twin concept in terms of navigation autonomy. The paper starts by introducing the path to full autonomy in seas and the need for the digital twin by defining this concept for ships. A maneuvering mathematical model is used to represent the physical ship. The details of the model and the controller algorithms are given next. The propeller and rudder models are first validated by free-running self-propulsion and turning circle tests. The ship considered in this study has a twisted rudder and does not possess course-keeping ability; therefore, it requires autopilot to move straight ahead. Three types of simulation cases are identified with one being the autopilot mode. In the other two cases, the ship is forced to conduct two hard maneuvers while accelerating/decelerating. Investigation of the generated results reveals the effectiveness of the digital twin architecture used in this study. It has also allowed us to conduct a controller stability analysis, which has shown the behavior of the controller gains to detect the most optimum values for the considered model ship.

Large Scale Optical Assisted Mm-Wave Beam-Hopping System for Multi-Hop Bent-Pipe LEO Satellite Networks

By introducing the arrayed waveguide router (AWGR) optical true time-delay (OTTD) architecture in bent-pipe satellite optical inter-link to optically assist the RF phased array in Low-earth orbit satellites will extend the multi-hop bent-pipe satellite beam-hopping protocol proposed in DVB-S2X. It solves the challenge of beam steering with the support of precise, broadband, and wide-range scanning. This architecture utilizes a subarray to combine the advantages of AWGR and a high-precision RF phase shifter to realize the beam pointing without an oblique view. Unlike the traditional digital and analog phased array architecture, the introduction of OTTD can solve the problem of beam squint and also ensure the high-precision scanning of the beam.

A Pedagogical Approach Using Digitalization and Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) for a New Practice in Architecture and Archaeology

In the past years, architectural heritage was represented and described through 2D plans, sections, perspective drawings, pictures, and texts. But, in the last decades, with the development of digital tools such as 3D scanner laser and photogrammetry, new technologies have been introduced in the digital survey of architectural heritage and 3D modelling. In this regard, we noticed that students, architects, and archaeologists still do not use photogrammetry and lasergrammetry in their work. Some of them found those methods difficult and expensive. This paper aims to describe a methodology of digitizing architectural artefacts based on digital tools such as photogrammetry and lasergrammetry that allows representing realistic and accurate 3D models and then to explain the steps that lead to introducing photogrammetric model from Autodesk recap photo software in the Autodesk Revit software to have a Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) project that is useful for architectural intervention on cultural heritage using digital platform allowing multidisciplinary collaboration in architectural projects. The field of experimentation is our teaching courses with the students at the national school of architecture and urban planning in Tunisia in different sites. The student’s results are promising in the new practice of Digital Architecture and Digital Archeology and the HBIM can be a conception aid design.

Design and Suitability Analysis of FPGA-Based TCP/IP Offload Module for Control Systems of FBRs

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) offload modules play a crucial role in India’s first commercial fast breeder reactor (PFBR) distributed digital control system architecture by providing networking capabilities to the real-time control systems used in safety-critical and safety-related applications of the PFBR. These modules enable operators to remotely control various mechanisms, facilities, and process loops via real-time control systems from the main control room display stations. The malfunctioning of these modules may hamper the overall plant’s availability; hence to improve further upon safety, security, reliability, and performance, these modules have been indigenously developed for upcoming fast breeder reactors in India. This paper proposes methods to justify the suitability of these communication modules as per the D-25 design guidelines issued by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board of India. The design and testing aspects are covered, including an approach toward hardware descriptive language-based design and testing with respect to the IEEE standard and the TCP/IP protocol specifications. Module design validation based on ethernet frame transactions is detailed in this paper. The test platform design, which includes the diagnostics software design for CPUs designed with these TCP offload modules, and the design of a graphical user interface to detect and record TCP connection anomalies are detailed. The network interface response to postulated events of TCP packet corruption, packet drop, packet delay, out-of-order packets, duplicate packets, and heavy traffic is characterized.