Operational Concept Research Articles

Robotic exploration of Martian caves: Evaluating operational concepts through analog experiments in lava tubes

Caves on Mars are a tantalizing target for exploration, as they could harbor evidence of extinct or extant life, clues to the planet’s geological history, and even potential future human habitation. However, the inherent challenges of navigating unknown and challenging terrain, coupled with limited communication capabilities, pose significant obstacles for robotic exploration in these caves. This paper presents the results of an effort to evaluate different operational concepts for a mission dedicated to exploration of caves on Mars. We conducted a series of analog exploration experiments in lava tubes on Earth, testing two hypotheses: (1) that two robots are more effective than one, and (2) that high levels of autonomy are more effective than low levels of autonomy. Our findings suggest that two robots are indeed more effective, except in low autonomy cases, where more operational resources are required. We also found that full autonomy is more efficient than low autonomy, as it enables quicker exploration and detection of targets of interest. However, the low autonomy cases benefited from the operator input to acquire higher quality data, an area of autonomy requiring further development. This paper provides insight into the design of our experiments, as well as detailing the results and implications for the design of future missions to explore caves on Mars. By shedding light on the operational concepts tested and their corresponding outcomes, we contribute to the knowledge base required to formulate optimal strategies for the realization of successful cave exploration missions on the Red Planet.

Exploring the Feasibility of Quantum-Based Secure Communications for Nuclear Applications

Recent advancements in reactor designs could offer new revolutionary capabilities, including remote monitoring, increased flexibility, and reduced operation and maintenance costs. Embracing new digital technologies would allow for operational concepts such as semiautonomous or near-autonomous control, and two-way communications for real-time integration with the upcoming smart electric grid. However, such continuous data transmission from and toward a reactor site could potentially introduce new challenges and vulnerabilities, necessitating the prioritization of cybersecurity. Conventional information technology–based encryption schemes, which rely mostly on computational complexity, have been shown to be vulnerable to cyberattacks. With the advent of quantum computing, practically any asymmetric encryption could be potentially compromised. For example, it has been shown that a RSA-2048 bit key could be broken in 8 h. To address this challenge, we explore the feasibility of quantum key distribution (QKD) to secure communications. QKD is a physical layer security scheme relying on the laws of quantum mechanics instead of mathematical complexity. QKD promises not only unconditional security but also detection of potential intrusion, as it allows the communication parties to become aware of eavesdropping. To test the proposed hypothesis, a novel simulation tool (NuQKD) was developed to allow for real-time simulation of the BB84 QKD protocol between two remote terminals. A reference scenario is proposed, generic enough to cover various internal and external communication links to a reactor site. Using NuQKD, the internal and external data links were modeled, and receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated for various QKD configurations. A performance analysis was conducted, demonstrating that QKD can provide adequate secret key rates with low false alarms and has the potential of addressing the nuclear industry’s high standards of confidentiality for distance lengths up to 75 km of fiberoptics. Using a conservative estimation, QKD can provide up to 21.5 kbps of secret key rate for a distance of 1 km and 14.4 kbps at 10 km. The target secret key rates for the corresponding links were estimated at 16 kbps and 80 bps, respectively, based on the analysis of real data from a PUR-1 fully digital reactor. Consequently, QKD is shown to be compatible with existing and future point-to-point reactor communication architectures. These results motivate further study of quantum communications for nuclear reactors.

Meningkatkan Pemahaman Konsep Matematika Siswa Sekolah Dasar Dalam Operasi Bilangan Bulat Menggunakan Media Koin Bermuatan

The low results of daily tests on mathematics subjects regarding integer arithmetic operations indicate a lack of mastery of the material. This research aims to increase elementary school students' understanding of integer counting operations through the use of charged coins. Charged coin media uses capsule coins with positive and negative charges attached to cardboard, which is designed to help students understand the concept of integer counting operations. The research method used is a literature review where researchers use journals contained in GoogleSchool which were published in 2015-2023. Based on this research, the results showed that the use of charged coin media is very appropriate for increasing students' understanding of mathematical concepts in whole number operations.

Between depth and takhbulah—learning to exploit cunning intelligence in future strategy and operations

This article is about Operational art and the feature of depth. It exploits the Israeli Operational concept of takhbulah, a deceptive two-stage theory thriving on the changing nature of reality. Challenging military ideal models and rigid paradigms, it displays how conformity to emergence and courses of action outside perceived boundaries, normally choking creativity, can provide an effective cognitive depth enhancer by unlocking potential already in possession. The article is based on substantial studies in Israel, including five research trips, interviews with some 20 generals and a range of prominent others’ culminating with a three-week one-on-one operational dialogue with the director of the IDF General’s course.

Peningkatan Pemahaman Konsep Operasi Hitung Perkalian dengan Penggunaan Media Saku Perkalian

This Research Is Motivated By Students' Low Understanding Of Mathematical Concepts Which Is Caused By The Learning Process Not Optimizing The Use Of Media When Learning Takes Place In Understanding The Concepts Of Learning Material And Not Giving Students Opportunities To Participate In Learning. This Research Aims To Improve Students' Understanding Of Mathematical Concepts Multiplication Pocket Media Is Able To Provide Details In The Form Of Existing Images, So That Students Are Able To Remember Them Better. Understanding The Concept Of Multiplication Calculation Operations. First, Restate The Concepts That Have Been Studied With The Following Example Questions. 5 X 4 = 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4= 20. Most Students' Work Process Is Not Appropriate Because Students Do Not Re-Express Their Spelling Concepts Directly In The Results. Second, Classifying Objects Based On Mathematical Concepts.

Onboard guidance and control algorithms for increased autonomous aerobraking capabilities at Mars

Aerobraking represents a valuable option for interplanetary missions thanks to its capability of reducing the orbital semi-major axis through multiple atmospheric passages, thus with limited fuel consumption. However, due to structural and thermal loads the spacecraft undergoes, mission risks and ground operations costs increase. This study aims to tackle this aerobraking drawback by enhancing its autonomy. The main activities required for aerobraking execution, including atmospheric prediction, orbital state estimation, and orbit control, are tailored for onboard execution. Regarding orbit control, two different methodologies, differentiated by working principle and prediction horizon breadth, are investigated. The first plans orbit control manoeuvres based on the prediction of the atmospheric conditions for a single upcoming pericentre, while the second schedules and optimizes the manoeuvres considering the recent atmospheric conditions experienced by the spacecraft and the altitude trend of multiple upcoming pericentres. The whole operational concept is tested within a simulated environment, with the primary objective of accurately reproducing the intense atmospheric variations of the Martian atmosphere, which represents the most challenging aspect during aerobraking execution. The numerical testing, involving the simulation of different aerobraking regimes under varied conditions, shows that the natural dynamics of the orbital motion can be exploited to minimize both fuel consumption for orbit control manoeuvres and spacecraft load variations, thus enabling more efficient aerobraking and more stable flight conditions, even with the limited predictive capabilities that characterize onboard resources. Both control logics permit the aerobraking execution without exceeding the maximum allowed thermal limits, hence showing their effectiveness. Furthermore, a Monte Carlo analysis conducted on a complete aerobraking simulation reveals a 25.5% reduction in propellant consumption and a 9.4% reduction in heat rate variability when the orbit control decision process uses information relative to multiple future pericentres.

Eksplorasi Etnomatematika pada Permainan Tradisional Congklak di Kelurahan Srengseng Sawah

Ethnomathematics contributes greatly to the improvement of mathematics learning, because it relates to students' experiences in everyday life that touches the realm of local cultural arts so that students become more understanding of the mathematical concepts explained. This study aims to explore the concept of mathematics in the traditional game of congklak in Srengseng Sawah Village. This research is a qualitative research with an ethnographic approach. The data collection techniques used are observation, interview and documentation. The instruments in this study were researchers, observation guidelines, interview guidelines and documentation. Based on the research analysis and discussion of the history and philosophy of the traditional game of congklak, mathematical concepts in the game of congklak such as the concept of flat shapes, namely semicircles, circles, rectangles and spatial shapes, namely half a ball; the concept of transformation in this case reflection / mirroring; the concept of arithmetic calculation operations including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The game also has cultural and philosophical values.

A Heuristic Procedure for Improving the Routing of Urban Waste Collection Vehicles Using ArcGIS

This paper proposes a heuristic procedure created to improve the collection routes obtained with the support of the ArcGIS software and its complement, Network Analyst. After a series of experiments, it was found that the software presents several inconsistencies with logistical and operational management concepts, such as the unnecessary realization of U-turns in a dead end and unnecessary access to areas with difficult access to a single customer. These are issues that a collection route planner must consider to make a good decision that considers the cost of visiting areas with difficult access and the benefits of reaching that area. In this sense, our heuristic procedure considers a set of best practices in operational and logistical strategies that could be programmed within the Network Analyst. As it is well known in the science of vehicle routing, U-turns and sub-tours in the routes travelled by vehicles increase distances and operating costs, so in our work, we propose a systematic heuristic procedure to reduce the number of U-turns performed by a municipal waste collection truck, while using the ArcGIS-Network Analyst add-on to reduce the number of sub-tours in the route under the Directed-Capacitated Arc Routing Problem approach. It is then shown how the routes improved using our conceptual heuristic procedure, which provides better quality than the original routes obtained with ArcGIS and Network Analyst. Specifically, reducing the total distances travelled by the vehicle fleet, increasing the coverage of sidewalks visited by the truck in the urban perimeter of a city, and minimizing the time used in municipal solid waste collection operations. The importance of our work lies in the fact that effective MSW management is an essential municipal service whose regulation can drive innovation, sustainability, and efficiency in the MSW sector.

MANAGING SUPPLY CHAIN IN CONTEXT OF TRANSFER PRICING

It is now very widely known that supply of good and services across the borders by the associated / related companies is subject to the high risk of having disputes with the taxation authorities for abuse of transfer pricing for their international operations which very often may result in litigations. Thus, managing the supply chain when it is related with transfer pricing is extremely important for the smooth conduct of business, This paper in this context, therefore, first explains the relevant concepts of supply chain operations between the associated companies with tax implications, transfer pricing, abuse of transfer pricing, Arm’s Length Pricing, Advance Pricing Agreement, Safe Harbour Rules and then explains how such risk of disputes and litigations may be minimized or even eliminated by adopting a suitable legitimate techniques as per the prescribed guidelines and laws of the national and international institutions enabling MNEs to supply tangible and intangibles to their associate companies without having any issues with the taxation authorities.

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of Active Debris Removal Mission via Electric Propulsion

A design optimization framework for an active orbital debris removal mission to minimize the life cycle cost and mission time is presented. The general concept of operations consists of spacecraft capable of deorbiting 22 identical high-priority debris from sun-synchronous orbit via continuous low thrust from electrostatic thrusters. This modular subsystem framework is proposed and investigated with a fractional factorial design of experiments approach as preliminary analysis in order to inform effects of design variables as well as identify the scope of possible design and output space. The single-objective optimization minimizes the life cycle cost of the mission through a heuristic-based genetic algorithm, resulting in a 4.12-year, $354 million mission using 5.34 kW xenon Hall thrusters. Pareto fronts generated by a multiobjective weighted-sum genetic algorithm are presented to highlight the cost and time objective space for both a nominal and expensive xenon price per kilogram to show design space fluctuations with xenon price volatility. High-power 8 kW xenon Hall thrusters are proven to be in closest proximity to the utopia of the multiobjective design space with a cost of $687 million and mission time of 1 year. High-power krypton Hall thrusters prove to offer a comparable alternative to xenon systems.

Evaluation of Visual ConOps in Early Solution Validation in a Small and Medium‐sized Enterprise

AbstractThis paper focuses on the design, implementation, and assessment of the visual Concept of Operations (ConOps) as an informal visualization technique employed for early solution validation in Small and Medium‐sized Enterprises (SMEs). SMEs face significant challenges in early solution validation due to the complex nature of modern systems and the constantly changing market demands. These challenges may be further intensified by immature leadership and ineffective communication within the organization. By applying an industry‐as‐laboratory approach in an SME industry case, this study aims to reduce the negative impacts of miscommunication between internal and external stakeholders and contribute to needs elicitation and system validation process. The results show that visual ConOps can effectively support the need elicitation process, which is crucial for early validation, however, it may not independently serve as a comprehensive communication tool between the developer team and stakeholders. It is essential to supplement visual ConOps with complementary tools to effectively convey stakeholder input to the developer team.

Design and mathematical modeling of an amphibious quadcopter for versatile operations

Amphibious drone is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) capable of performing in both air and under water for application in various fields, such as marine, military, and underwater habitat research, but complexity in the design and provable mathematical model to withstand the arguably swift changes in the forces during the transition phase makes it difficult to build a sustainable UAV that can operate seamlessly in both media. Beginning with the mathematical principles and physical laws, the basic concept of operation is arrived at in the present study for both media (air and water) keeping the prime objective as developing a reliable drone design and mathematical model that will satisfactorily describe the behavior of the amphibious drone with accuracy by defining the coordinate system to describe the amphibious drone’s kinematics. Basic forces and torques are considered to explicitly describe the drone dynamics using Newton–Euler equations, and the final equation derived is the matrix Newton’s second law. Based on the mathematical model, the final design of the drone is arrived at considering the feasibility of withstanding forces, placement of commercial-off-the-shelf components, and the amount of thrust required to carry the seamless operation. A prototype is built with active buoyancy control technique to control the underwater depth of the drone, which clearly satisfies the design and mathematical model developed in this study.

Existence of a mild solution for a fractional impulsive differential equation of the Sobolev type including deviating argument

The impulsive fractional differential equation of the Sobolev type, including deviating arguments, is the subject of the study. The analytic semigroup and fixed point approaches serve the purpose of determining the existence of the approximations. The fractional power of a closed linear operator concept is used to show how the approximation converges. To arrive at a unique approach, an approximation strategy is used. Our main conclusions are defined using an example.

Azerbaijan’s 2023 counterterrorism operation in Karabakh region: causes and consequences

Purpose: is to discuss the possible causes and consequences of Azerbaijan’s 2023 counterterrorism operation in Karabakh region. Method: comparative analysis, and synthesis. Findings: Azerbaijan is one of few countries which successfully waged a full-scale war against Armenia in order to restore its territorial integrity and conducted impeccable counterterrorism operation of the local nature against illegal armed groups in Karabakh region in order to eliminate separatism and ensure its sovereignty over liberated territories. A set of principles is usually followed to conduct counterterrorism operations, which are intricate and multidimensional, with the goal of efficiently fighting terrorist threats while minimizing collateral harm and safeguarding human rights. All principles of counterterrorism operation were met and Azerbaijan eliminated separatism once and for all and ensured its sovereignty over the liberated territories. What makes this operation different from many operations of the same nature, is that a long-term approach – one of the most important principles of the counterterrorism operations has been applied, where the immediate security concerns were eradicated, the source of separatism was isolated, the ideological extremism was dispelled, the promotion of stability was ensured, left no reason for foreign troops (so-called Russian peacekeepers) to stay in its territory. Theoretical implications: The paper enhances our understanding of key concepts of counterterrorism operations in general and provides new insights for understanding the possible causes and consequences of Azerbaijan’s 2023 counterterrorism operation. The results obtained in the study have broader implications for national security strategies in pursuit of eradicating the similar problems in different contexts. Practical implications: Azerbaijan’s 2023 counterterrorism operation is a typical example for the nations suffering from the same problem. Applying different aspects of this operation as depicted in the paper would definitely contribute to the adjustment of tactics and techniques, reallocation of resources, effective application of new technologies by the nations to eliminate the separatism within their internationally recognized territories. Value: The study presents Azerbaijan’s 2023 counterterrorism operation as a model for eradicating the problems of the same nature in pursuit of peace and stability in different regions, delineates the principles of the counterterrorism operations and explains them in the example of the operation conducted by Azerbaijan Armed Forces. Paper type: theoretical.

유아교육기관의 ESG 운영 평가도구 개발 및 타당화 연구

The purpose of this study is to develop an ESG operation evaluation tool for early childhood education institutions and to verify the validity of the developed test tool. To this end, the concept and components of ESG operation of early childhood education institutions were derived through analysis of related literature. Based on the content validity of the components of ESG operation, 53 ESG concept recognition questions and 36 ESG attitude questions were selected. A preliminary survey was conducted on 28 employees at early childhood education institutions on the selected questions. After verifying the content validity of the preliminary survey data, the main survey was conducted on 242 people. Basic analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted on main survey data to derive the final test tool. As a result of the study, 17 ESG concept recognition components and 11 ESG attitude components were derived, and a total of 28 questions were developed as an ESG operation evaluation tool for early childhood education institution. The ESG operation evaluation tool for early childhood education institutions derived through this study is significant in that it can provide basic data for proper ESG operation of early childhood education institutions in the future.

A Study on the Sustainable Development Strategy for Cultural Brands from the Perspective of All Media

The era of all media, as a new cognitive background connecting together everything, provides a new perspective for the operation and communication of cultural brands. Taking the connection between all media and cultural brands as the entry point, this paper discusses how to operate cultural brands in a reasonable and efficient manner. On the one hand, the task is on the construction and communication of cultural brands themselves, focusing on the cultural connotations of their brands and the integration of their marketing with multimedia resources; on the other hand, the operation strategy needs to be further improved, such as the innovation of operation concept, balance of brand layout and creation of brand differentiation advantages. In the context of the era of all-media integration, cultural brands create a more comprehensive and three-dimensional communication mode in a more diversified form. Choosing cross-media and multimedia for brand planning and operation is an inevitable choice.

Arranging the Defence of the Cyber Environment as a Part of Military Affairs: Tactical, Operational and Strategic approach in retrospect of The Russian - Ukrainian War 2022

The artificial cyber environment has reached national security interest and emerged as the fourth domain of battle in the military concept of all-domain operations in most Western armed forces and coalitions in the past 30 years. Currently, militaries are struggling to keep up with cybercriminals and advanced persistent actors while trying to gain an advantage of their data and digital infrastructure. The paper focuses on military affairs' ways and means to address the need for cyber warriors operating in friendly, neutral, and hostile cyber environments integrated under Multi-Domain Operations. The paper uses design research methodology to create and test a model for cyber defence capabilities generation and utilisation. The theoretical reference to military affairs is based on Beer's Viable System Model and previous studies of military organisations' evolution as capability generators. The military and societal cyber environment evolution model is based on industrial revolutions and current tendencies. These approaches define a hypothetical model for two main functions of military affairs (force generation and utilisation) concerning cyber defence capabilities. The fast evolution of cyber threats sets unique requirements for cyber force utilisation and generation structures. This difference has culminated in a recent war between Russia and Ukraine, and data from that conflict is used to test the hypothetical model. The rapid evolution of the cyber environment and its weaponisation establish different requirements for military cyber capabilities compared to any other operational dimension or capability (space, air, land, or maritime). The difference is evident in sourcing resources, generating capabilities, and using them in Multi-Domain Operations. The paper provides a tested model for generating cyber defence capabilities at a strategic level and an operation model for cyber defence at a tactical and operational level. The designed model extends the technically oriented cybersecurity thinking with operational and strategic levels. Furthermore, the model introduces the value stream behind the cyber capability acquisition and supports strategic designers in national and military analysis.

Practice-based research in architecture at the University of the Free State

The Department of Architecture at the University of the Free State (UFS) established a new practice-based research programme in 2018, facilitating creative research toward master's and doctoral degrees. The programme is a first for South Africa, and possibly for Africa at large. In this paper, I consider research modalities that are proving to be pertinent to the programme, illustrated by examples of work currently underway at the university and which are new to South Africa. I seek to locate the specificity of creative research within the expanded nature and qualities of architecture conceived as a medium. This medium constitutes a vast nexus of relationships involving persons, environments, and things. I argue that creative research in architecture aims to harness and document the ingenuity of the designer's medium toward a rejuvenation of design practice. I address three primary questions: What is the medium of architecture?; What is research in the medium of architecture?; and How might one go about designing a creative architectural thesis? I also consider operative concepts such as design as proto-research, the research gap, speculative hermeneutics, tacit knowledge, exegesis, and discovery that leads to the renewal of creativity.

Market Structures for Service Providers in Advanced Air Mobility

Proposed concepts of operations for advanced air mobility rely on private service providers being responsible for providing air traffic management services to uncrewed aircraft such as drones and autonomous air taxis. While such proposals are unprecedented in the aviation context, one can draw parallels to the Internet and the role played by Internet service providers in managing web traffic. A study of the evolution of the Internet illustrates that, without clear rules for cooperation around a nascent market, private profit motives incentivize against service provider cooperation, especially for traffic flows that traverse multiple regions managed by different service providers. To address this problem, we propose a profit-sharing mechanism based on the Shapley value that incentivizes service providers to cooperate. We show that this mechanism i) ensures that service providers route flights along globally optimal routes, and ii) encourages service providers to work together in providing more efficient routes. We study the allocation of sectors to service providers and show that different allocations can cause large differences in profit earned. Finally, we discuss some of the remaining challenges with having a federated network of private service providers supporting traffic management for advanced air mobility operations.

Multi-Agent Simulation to Envision Communication Strategies in Future Air Mobility Operations

In the future, low-altitude, shorter-range air operations will require support for interdependent parties, including pilots, fleet operators, and providers of traffic services, to safely and efficiently coordinate and manage shared airspace. Timely and quality communication is key to maintaining common ground between different roles, especially when dynamically cascading events require high-tempo responses. To ensure that communication is adequately supported in the design of procedures and aids, further development of the operational concepts for lower-altitude operations should account for the time and effort required for communication and consider strategies for distributing this overhead among the system’s actors. This study draws from research on team cognition and communication to develop a multi-agent model of the work involved in communication. The model aims to quantify the overhead associated with communication and to dynamically evaluate alternate communication strategies in envisioned air operations. An operational scenario on contingency management in low-altitude air operations involving electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is presented to demonstrate how the framework can support the analysis of a range of alternate strategies. The proposed approach can serve as a formative tool for designing artifacts for supporting distributed work.