Integrated Software Architecture Research Articles

An integrated software architecture for the pollution-based real-time control of urban drainage systems

Abstract This paper presents a complete methodology for the development of an integrated software architecture, which can achieve a closed-loop application between the integrated real-time control (RTC) and a virtual reality simulation for the urban drainage system (UDS). Quality measurements are considered during the simulation and optimization process. Model predictive control (MPC) and rule-based control (RBC) are the two main RTC methods embedded in this architecture. The proposed integration environment allows the different software components to efficiently and effectively communicate and work in a system-wide way, as well as to execute all the necessary steps regarding input parameter management, scenario configuration and results extraction. The proposed approaches are implemented into a pilot based on the Badalona UDS (Spain). Results from different scenarios with individual control approaches and rain episodes are evaluated and discussed.

Onboard system of hybrid underwater robotic vehicles: Integrated software architecture and control algorithm

Abstract In this paper, a hybrid underwater robotic vehicle (HURV), which combines the advantages of autonomous underwater vehicle and remotely operated vehicle, is introduced. The vehicle system consists of an onboard system with a set of embedded PC/104 computers and a surface monitoring station based on the client–server supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. Correspondingly, a two-layer software architecture composed of a monitoring layer and a task layer is presented, and they are inserted into the surface and onboard systems, respectively. The task layer includes four kinds of tasks — perception task, communication task, motion control task and fault treatment task. Subsequently, the design and implementation for multiple tasks running in the task layer are described in detail. Furthermore, under the above software architecture, a model-free fuzzy proportional–integral–derivative (FPID) controller is applied to heading control task at different speed profiles, in consideration of the simplified implementation on the PC/104 computer. Numerical simulation results quantitatively illustrate the designed FPID controller performs better than the classic PID controller, especially in the rise time, settling time, and overshot. Finally, tank experiments are performed to test the performance of the entire onboard system of the developed HURV with the integrated software architecture and FPID control algorithm.

A Standardization in Laboratory Automation-Based Open Software Architecture for Integration and Control of High-Throughput Nucleic Acid Sample Processing Systems

A Standardization in Laboratory Automation-Based Open Software Architecture for Integration and Control of High-Throughput Nucleic Acid Sample Processing Systems

KALIS - An eHealth System for Biomedical Risk Analysis of Drugs.

In Germany, adverse drug reactions and events cause hospitalizations, which lead to numerous thousands of deaths and several million Euros in additional health costs annually. Approximately one in two deaths could be avoided by an appropriate system for risk analysis of drugs. The integration and storage of several data sources from life sciences are an ongoing need to address various questions with respect to drug therapy. A software architecture for data integration was implemented in order to build up a new data warehouse named KALIS-DWH, which includes pharmacological, biomolecular and patient-related data. Based on this comprehensive KALIS-DWH, an eHealth system named KALIS for biomedical risk analysis of drugs was implemented. The task-specific modules of KALIS offer efficient algorithms for analyzing medication and supporting decision-making in drug therapy. KALIS is meant to be a web-based information system for health professionals and researchers. KALIS provides comprehensive knowledge and modules for risk analysis of drugs, which can contribute to minimizing prescribing errors.

Agile Big Data Analytics for Web-Based Systems: An Architecture-Centric Approach

This article contributes an architecture-centric methodology, called AABA ( A rchitecture-centric A gile B ig data A nalytics), to address the technical, organizational, and rapid technology change challenges of both big data system development and agile delivery of big data analytics for Web-based Systems (WBS). As the first of its kind, AABA fills a methodological void by adopting an architecture-centric approach, advancing and integrating software architecture analysis and design, big data modeling and agile practices. This article describes how AABA was developed, evolved and validated simultaneously in 10 empirical WBS case studies through three CPR (Collaborative Practice Research) cycles. In addition, this article presents an 11th case study illustrating the processes, methods and techniques/tools in AABA for cost-effectively achieving business goals and architecture agility in a large scale WBS. All 11 case studies showed that architecture-centric design, development, and operation is key to taming technical complexity and achieving agility necessary for successful WBS big data analytics development. Our contribution is novel and important. The use of reference architectures, a design concepts catalog and architectural spikes in AABA are advancements to architecture design methods. In addition, our architecture-centric approach to DevOps was critical for achieving strategic control over continuous big data value delivery for WBS.

Software architecture for integration of institutional and social learning environments

As technology continues to evolve and develop, requirements for effective teaching and learning methodologies are likewise growing and changing. As a result of this trend, Learning Management Systems (LMSs) are usually adopted in certain institutions and sometimes in order to take advantage of technological developments. However, these LMSs are adapted to a certain degree and may restrain users with its set of tools and functionalities. New requirements imply the need for integration with third-party systems and tools which are often used to increase the efficacy of learning. Properly implemented technology can serve as a tool to create new opportunities for learning systems. This work focuses on the design and technological requirements of the software architecture for integrating an institutional e-learning system, an educational management system, and a social learning environment. This work proposes a software architecture that supports functionalities promoting effective teaching and learning, while giving an overview of the diversity of technologies and tools used in the proposed architecture.

A study on software architecture for effective BIM/GIS-based facility management data integration

In this study, we propose software architecture for the effective integration of building information modeling (BIM) into a geographic information system (GIS)-based facilities management (FM) system. This requires the acquisition of data from various sources followed by the transformation of these data into an appropriate format. The integration and representation of heterogeneous data in a GIS are very important for use cases involving both BIM and GIS data, such as in the management of municipal facilities. We propose a BIM/GIS-based information Extract, Transform, and Load (BG-ETL) architecture that separates geometrical information from that related to the relevant properties. The property required for each use-case perspective is extracted and transformed from information for the BIM with FM to GIS using the ETL concept. In consideration of the viewpoint of geometry, the surface model for several representations in the GIS, we designed BG-ETL, developed a prototype, and verified the results through interviews. The results show that BG-ETL considering BIM/GIS integration issue has benefits such as reusability and extensibility. • The BG-ETL for integrating BIM, GIS and facility management data was proposed. • The mapping method from BIM including FM data to GIS was proposed. • The element, property and LOD mapping method from BIM to GIS were proposed. • The benefit of BG-ETL was at least almost twice times better than the manual.

Integrating Software Architecture Concepts into the MDA Platform with UML Profile

Architecture Description Languages (ADLs) provide an abstract representation of software systems. Achieving a concrete mapping of such representation into the implementation is one of the principal aspects of MDA (Model Driven Architecture). Integration of ADLs within MDA confers to the MDA platform a higher level of abstraction and a degree of reuse of ADLs. Indeed they have significantly different platform metamodels which make the definition of mapping rules complex. This complexity is clearly noticeable when some software architecture concepts cannot be easily mapped to MDA platform. In this research, we propose to integrate software architecture within MDA. We define also strategy for direct transformation using a UML profile. It represents both software architecture model (PIM) and MDA platform model (PSM) in UML meta-model then elaborates transformation rules between results UML meta-models. The goal is to automate the process of deriving implementation platform from software concepts.

Simulation of the VVER-1000 pump start-up experiment in the OECD/DOE/CEA V1000CT benchmark by the FLICA4/CRONOS2 coupled code system

In the framework of joint effort between the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of OECD, the United States Department of Energy (US DOE), and the Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), France, a coupled 3-D thermal–hydraulics/neutron kinetics benchmark was defined. The overall objective of OECD/NEA V1000CT benchmark [Ivanov, B., Ivanov, K., Groudev, P., Pavlova, M., Hadjiev, V., 2002. VVER-1000 Coolant Transient Benchmark (V1000-CT). Phase 1 – Final Specifications, NEA/NSC/DOC] is to assess computer codes used in the analysis of VVER-1000 reactivity transients where mixing phenomena (mass flow and temperature) in the reactor pressure vessel are complex. Original data from the Kozloduy-6 Nuclear Power Plant are available for the validation of computer codes: one experiment of pump start-up (V1000CT-1) and one experiment of steam generator isolation (V1000CT-2). The CEA presented results for the V1000CT-1 Exercise 2 using a coupling of FLICA4 [Toumi, I., Gallo, D., Bergeron, A., Royer, E., Caruge, D., 2000. FLICA4: a three dimensional two-phase flow computer code with advanced numerical methods for nuclear applications. Nuclear Engineering and Design 200, 139–155] and CRONOS2 [Akherraz, B., Baudron, A.M., Lautard, J.J., Magnaud, C., Moreau, F., Schneider, D., Gonzales, M., 2004. Manuel de Référence CRONOS 2.6. Technical Report SERMA/LENR/RT/04-3433/A, CEA] via the coupling tool ISAS [Toumi, I., et al., 1995. Specifications of the general software architecture for code integration in ISAS. Euratom Fusion Technology, ITER task S81TT-01/1]. The FLICA4/CRONOS2 VVER-1000 model is based on the data available in the benchmark specifications. This paper summarizes the FLICA4/CRONOS2 model build-up with the associated sensitivity studies and presents the CEA results for V1000CT-1 Exercise 2 as well as a comparison with experimental results at hot power steady state (HP SS).

An integrated software architecture for real-time video and audio recording systems

This paper presents an integrated MPEG video and audio recording software system with a system-on-a-chip (SoC) platform. By fully utilizing the information obtained from video compression, the auto exposure and auto white balance can be accurately predicted and adjusted. The bit rate control as well as data buffer techniques adopted in the design overcome the difficulties of real-time streaming to storage cards.

Instrumented Sensor System Architecture

Sensor systems are becoming ubiquitous throughout society, yet their design, construction, and operation are still more of an art than a science. In this paper, we define, develop, and apply a formal se mantics for sensor systems that provides a theoretical framework for an integrated software architecture for modeling sensor-based con trol systems. Our goal is to develop a design framework that allows the user to model, analyze, and experiment with different versions of a sensor system. This includes the ability to build and modify multisensor systems and to monitor and debug both the output of the system and the effect of any modification in terms of robustness, efficiency, and error measures. The notion of Instrumented Logi cal Sensor Systems (ILSS) that are derived from this modeling and design methodology is introduced. The instrumented sensor ap proach is based on a sensori-computational model that defines the components of the sensor system in terms of theirfunctionality, accu racy, robustness, and efficiency. This approach provides a uniform specification language to define sensor systems as a composition of smaller, predefined components. From a software-engineering standpoint, this addresses the issues of modularity, reusability, and reliability for building complex systems. An example is given that compares vision and sonar techniques for the recovery of wall pose.

Building a chemical process design system within soar—1. Design issues

We explore the potential to include automatic learning in a design agent by implementing a simple distillation sequencing system, CPD-Soar, within Soar. Soar is an integrated software architecture with a build-in set of mechanisms for exhibiting intelligent behavior, including problem-solving, learning and interaction with the environment. Soar has a number of scientific uses: computer scientists build artificially intelligent agents with Soar as a foundation, and cognitive psychologists use Soar to model human cognition. CPD-Soar illustrates how design-related tasks can be cast within Soar's framework, hence demonstrating the functioning and potential of its problem- solving and learning mechanisms. This simple example system, which involves computations with real numbers, automatically learns things which are too specific, leading to the hypothesis that the generalization an agent infers from specific examples is strongly dependent upon the model the agent brings to the learning process. We introduced the Soar architecture as a vehicle for developing design systems with capabilities seen to be important for chemical process domains but missing in most existing design systems. We reported upon CPD-Soar, a system developed within the Soar framework, and described in depth its tasks, problem-space structure, operation and performance. The construction of CPD-Soar was a valuable exercise for two main reasons: one, it provided evidence that the mechanisms present in Soar can provide design systems with useful abilities, and two, the act of creating the system was useful in distinguishing between those aspects of the task domain that are well understood from those that are not. Selecting among competent evaluation functions and learning within numerically-intensive domains were two areas identified as not being well understood. Our observation of CPD-Soar's learning behavior lead us to postulate an hypothesis about learning: namely, that the richer the model an agent has of its evaluation functions, the more general its learning will be.

Software architecture for integration of video services in the Etherphone system

Software mechanisms that make use of analog transmission and storage of video for computer-controlled video communication and file storage are described. The authors extended the Etherphone voice management system to support video conferencing and file storage. The software mechanisms for conference management consist of a central connection manager, and video and user interface agents running on client workstations. A conferencing architecture that supports multiplicity in the number of conferences and media is presented. The video file server stores and retrieves full-motion video information within conferences. It uses optical disks to store video frames and builds a high-level file and directory interface. The user interface to the directory interface is a multimedia document editor that permits video annotations to be freely interspersed with text. The performance of the system, which spans multiple media networks, has been highly satisfactory. >

Time-constrained reasoning under uncertainty

Dynamic classification problems present unique challenges beyond those of more traditionalstatic knowledge-based systems. Uncertain and incomplete input data, unpredictable event sequences, and critical time and resource constraints require new approaches and techniques for automated reasoning. Our work toward addressing these complex requirements has concentrated on developing an integrated software architecture which supports the knowledge engineering process from development to deployment. The approach we are using to deal with real-time issues in the deployment environment involves the use of a fast knowledge representation scheme, efficient forward and backward chaining mechanisms, and a meta-controller which handles asynchronous inputs, prioritized task requests, and hard performance deadlines.