Proprietary Implementation Research Articles

Evaluation of BLE-based audio broadcasting under probabilistic interference

Wireless Bluetooth audio communication has become an inherent part of everyday life, from listening to a podcast on our headphones to streaming music on multiple speakers. Up until now, broadcasting audio to multiple receivers has always required a proprietary implementation. Therefore, recent advances in the specification allow Broadcast Audio streams to be set up on top of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). To cope with the unpredictability of wireless media, audio frame retransmission opportunities are provided. However, determining the applicable number of retransmissions for a broadcast stream that is exposed to volatile environmental conditions, is a complex research challenge. This paper presents a model that is capable of simulating a BLE broadcast stream schedule, exposed to various environmental conditions while using a variable number of audio frame retransmissions. The evaluation employs several existing Packet Loss Concealment (PLC) techniques to cope with audio frame losses. The results provide insights into the impact of various frame loss patterns on the audio quality and intelligibility of broadcasted speech. The more advanced PLC techniques can handle a higher frame loss rate threshold. The analysis also shows that large audio frames requiring fragmentation exhibit a higher amount of frame loss for the same BLE packet loss rate and that overlap with in-use 802.11 channels can lead to a large variability in frame loss behavior. The model provides a baseline for the next research challenge related to continuous management of Broadcast Audio streams operating under volatile environmental conditions.

Автоматизація в системі електронних закупівель з модулем аукціону

The article focuses on design and development around automation processes in complex e-procurement system with auction module. The complex system was built based on microservices architecture using latest server-side and client-side technologies. Data synchronization and integration amongst system’s various modules was implemented in real time via Web Socket protocol and database triggers. Web client notification methods involved SignalR technology. Data was stored in a distributed database and cached to dramatically improve query execution time. Authentication and authorization for users, modules, and subsystems was designed according to OAuth 2.0 standard with a proprietary implementation of the Proof Key Code Exchange algorithm and Backend for Frontend approach. The web client was built as a single page application using a strongly typed managed language to simplify development and debugging process. The client application was optimized with the help of lazy-loading algorithms for key modules, among them supplier, buyer, and common module. The system was composed into a Docker container to be ready to publish on cloud services or physical servers and support any operating system. A set of unit, integration, and system tests was created for each subsystem and module. Monitoring of the complex includes a technology stack to log, store, and visualize request statuses, latency, uptime, and overall health of the system. Existing automation flows for build and deployment were improved to accommodate the needs of the complex e procurement system. The system was designed and built for key stakeholders such as private enterprises acting as buyers and people or companies acting as suppliers.

Methodology for testing languages for embedded avionics systems

In this article, we have analyzed six test languages. Four proprietary languages have been identified that are currently used in avionics for cyclic testing of embedded avionics systems at different levels of integration and maturity of the system under test. We use the Eclipse Modeling Framework with the Ecore specialized modeling language to formalize various concepts of interest. This will allow us to access a number of existing tools to create custom editors, validators, and code generators. Test engineers will have a rich environment to define their own test models based on the meta-model. We propose to abstract from existing proprietary implementation solutions and work at a common design level. For this, mature model design methods exist and can be used. The proposed approach is to share high-level test specifications and automatically maintain the entire code design and production chain.

Dynamic Pricing of Omnichannel Inventories

Omnichannel retail refers to a seamless integration of an e-commerce channel and a network of brick-and-mortar stores. An example is cross-channel fulfillment, which allows a store to fulfill online orders in any location. Another is price transparency, which allows customers to compare the online price with store prices. This paper studies a new and widespread problem resulting from omnichannel retail: price optimization in the presence of cross-channel interactions in demand and supply, where cross-channel fulfillment is exogenous. We propose two pricing policies that are based on the idea of “partitions” to the store inventory that approximate how this shared resource will be utilized. These policies are practical because they rely on solving computationally tractable mixed integer programs that can accept various business and pricing rules. In extensive simulation experiments, they achieve a small optimality gap relative to theoretical upper bounds on the optimal expected profit. The good observed performance of our pricing policies results from managing substitutive channel demands in accordance with partitions that rebalance inventory in the network. A proprietary implementation of the analytics is commercially available as part of the IBM Commerce markdown price solution. The system results in an estimated 13.7% increase in clearance-period revenue based on causal model analysis of the data from a pilot implementation for clearance pricing at a large U.S. retailer. The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2018.0737 .

Guided wave sensor for simple digital communication through an oil industry multi-wire cable

This work presents the proprietary design and implementation of a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) sensor for simple digital transmission and reception of guided waves using a high-temperature and corrosion-resistant multiple-wire 1K22 MP-35N cable as a communication channel. These cables are commonly used in the hostile oil and gas borehole environments of the petroleum industry. The sensor design involves electrical/mechanical coupling, instrumentation and casing. The PZT guided wave transmitter instrumentation includes a microcontroller-based pulse position modulator, a signal booster, a PZT-5H crystal and a 9 V battery. The receiver sensor consists of a PZT-5H crystal, an amplifier and a real-time digital signal processing (RT DSP) and data acquisition module connected to a personal computer. Dispersion curves were obtained using Disperse software and a simplified model of the cable. Dynamic linear 3D finite element modelling of the sensor was performed to support the correct frequency selection. To evaluate the sensor design, the transmitter generated 60 kHz guided wave pulse position modulation (PPM) energy packages. Experimental tests were conducted in the laboratory using 1 m and 10 m cables. The results showed that, although there was significant dispersion and there were multiple mode excitations of the transmitted pulses, the system correctly identified 10-bit frames of guided wave PPM-encoded information.

Radio Hardware Virtualization for Software-Defined Wireless Networks

Software-Defined Network (SDN) is a promising architecture for next generation Internet. SDN can achieve Network Function Virtualization much more efficiently than conventional architectures by splitting the data and control planes. Though SDN emerged first in wired network, its wireless counterpart Software-Defined Wireless Network (SDWN) also attracted an increasing amount of interest in the recent years. Wireless networks have some distinct characteristics compared to the wired networks due to the wireless channel dynamics. Therefore, network controllers present some extra degrees of freedom, such as taking measurements against interference and noise, or adapting channels according to the radio spectrum occupation. These specific characteristics bring about more challenges to wireless SDNs. Currently, SDWN implementations are mainly using customized firmware, such as OpenWRT, running on an embedded application processor in commercial WiFi chips, and restricted to layers above lower Media Access Control. This limitation comes from the fact that radio hardware usually require specific drivers, which have a proprietary implementation by various chipset vendors. Hence, it is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve virtualization on the radio hardware. However, this status has been changing as Software-Defined Radio (SDR) systems open up the entire radio communication stack to radio hobbyists and researchers. The bridge between SDR and SDN will make it possible to bring the softwarization and virtualization of wireless networks down to the physical layer, which will unlock the full potential of SDWN. This paper investigates the necessity and feasibility of extending the virtualization of wireless networks towards the radio hardware. A SDR architecture is presented for radio hardware virtualization in order to facilitate SDWN design and experimentation. We do believe that by adopting the virtualization-oriented hardware accelerator design presented here, an all-layer end-to-end high performance SDWN can be achieved.

Lessons Learned from Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Implementations in an Australian Company

Successful Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementations are a boon for organisations. However, there have been many instances of failed ERP implementations globally resulting in millions of wasted dollars. It is vital to learn from past ERP implementations so that such expensive mistakes are not recurrent. This qualitative exploratory case study aims to explore and document the lessons learned from ERP implementations in an Australian global natural resources company to mitigate such problems in the future. A single case study was conducted with the aim to understand experiences from different sites of the company that have already undergone proprietary ERP system implementation. Data was collected through interviews of key participants who were involved in the implementation. Analysis of the interviews has resulted in comprehensive lessons learned around the project focus areas. Finally, ten tips, divided in 4 categories i.e. People, Strategy, Technology and Management have been identified, to guide future ERP implementations and increase chances of success.

Towards standard PaaS implementation APIs

Platform as a service (PaaS) supports application developers with the ability to implement and deploy their applications in the cloud. Several heterogeneous PaaS platforms are available, such as Google App Engine (GAE), Windows Azure, Cloud Foundry, and OpenShift. Each PaaS provider has its own proprietary implementation and deployment APIs. The heterogeneity of these APIs makes developers worry about their application portability and interoperability. The work in this paper concerns about the heterogeneity of different PaaS implementation APIs. Standard PaaS implementation APIs, called Std-PaaS APIs, have been proposed to solve the application portability problem. Std-PaaS APIs allow developers to develop generic cloud application by writing their applications once and deploying many times on heterogeneous PaaS providers. Std-PaaS APIs have been evaluated using two case studies, in which generic APIs for cloud persistentstorage service and NoSQL datastore service have been developed and used to developed applications to be deployed onto GAE and Windows Azure.

Towards standard PaaS implementation APIs

Platform as a service (PaaS) supports application developers with the ability to implement and deploy their applications in the cloud. Several heterogeneous PaaS platforms are available, such as Google App Engine (GAE), Windows Azure, Cloud Foundry, and OpenShift. Each PaaS provider has its own proprietary implementation and deployment APIs. The heterogeneity of these APIs makes developers worry about their application portability and interoperability. The work in this paper concerns about the heterogeneity of different PaaS implementation APIs. Standard PaaS implementation APIs, called Std-PaaS APIs, have been proposed to solve the application portability problem. Std-PaaS APIs allow developers to develop generic cloud application by writing their applications once and deploying many times on heterogeneous PaaS providers. Std-PaaS APIs have been evaluated using two case studies, in which generic APIs for cloud persistentstorage service and NoSQL datastore service have been developed and used to developed applications to be deployed onto GAE and Windows Azure.

Unmanned Aerial Systems and DSM matching for rock glacier monitoring

Among other techniques, aerial and terrestrial photogrammetry have long been used to control the displacements of landslides and glaciers as well as for the detection of terrain morphological changes. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are today an efficient tool to perform data acquisition in rough or difficult terrain, both safely and quickly, avoiding hazards and risks for the operators while at the same time containing the survey costs. Since 2012 ARPAVdA (the Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Aosta Valley, Italy) periodically surveys with UAS photogrammetry the Gran Sometta rock glacier, the Agency main monitoring site for the climate change impacts on high-mountain areas and related infrastructures.A Digital Surface Model (DSM) and an orthophoto of the rock glacier are produced after each survey flight. In order to accurately georeference them in a stable reference system, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) campaign is carried out at each epoch, to update the coordinates of signalised Ground Control Points (GCPs), since they partly lay in unstable (moving) areas. In late August 2015 a survey flight has been executed with a senseFly eBee RTK, with differential corrections sent from a ground reference station. The block has been adjusted without GCP using, as control information, only the projection centres coordinates encoded in the images. The RMS of the differences found on twelve Check Points were about 4cm in horizontal and 7cm in elevation, i.e. practically the same accuracy found using GCP. Differences between the DSMs produced at the same epoch with block orientation performed with GCP and with GNSS-determined projection centres were also investigated.To evaluate the rock glacier displacement fields between two epochs, corresponding features were at first manually identified on the orthophotos by a trained operator. To avoid the manual time-consuming procedure and increase the density of displacement information, two automatic procedures, the former using Least Squares Matching (LSM) and the latter a proprietary implementation of Semi-Global Matching (SGM) have been implemented. Both techniques were applied to pairs of orthophotos as well as to pairs of DSMs at different epochs. A discussion of the characteristics of the implemented methods is provided and the results of the comparison of the two methods with manual measurements are illustrated. Overall, results using DSM matching provided higher completeness of the displacement field than orthophoto matching, especially if long-term (year-to-year) comparisons are considered. At the same time, SGM in both cases produced less mismatches and more smooth and reliable displacement fields than LSM.

Temporally Bounding TSO for Fence-Free Asymmetric Synchronization

This paper introduces a temporally bounded total store ordering (TBTSO) memory model, and shows that it enables nonblocking fence-free solutions to asymmetric synchronization problems, such as those arising in memory reclamation and biased locking. TBTSO strengthens the TSO memory model by bounding the time it takes a store to drain from the store buffer into memory. This bound enables devising fence-free algorithms for asymmetric problems, which require a performance-critical fast path to synchronize with an infrequently executed slow path . We demonstrate this by constructing (1) a fence-free version of the hazard pointers memory reclamation scheme, and (2) a fence-free biased lock algorithm which is compatible with unmanaged environments as it does not rely on safe points or similar mechanisms. We further argue that TBTSO can be implemented in hardware with modest modifications to existing TSO architectures. However, our design makes assumptions about proprietary implementation details of commercial hardware; it thus best serves as a starting point for a discussion on the feasibility of hardware TBTSO implementation. We also show how minimal OS support enables the adaptation of TBTSO algorithms to x86 systems.

Temporally Bounding TSO for Fence-Free Asymmetric Synchronization

This paper introduces a temporally bounded total store ordering (TBTSO) memory model, and shows that it enables nonblocking fence-free solutions to asymmetric synchronization problems, such as those arising in memory reclamation and biased locking. TBTSO strengthens the TSO memory model by bounding the time it takes a store to drain from the store buffer into memory. This bound enables devising fence-free algorithms for asymmetric problems, which require a performance-critical fast path to synchronize with an infrequently executed slow path . We demonstrate this by constructing (1) a fence-free version of the hazard pointers memory reclamation scheme, and (2) a fence-free biased lock algorithm which is compatible with unmanaged environments as it does not rely on safe points or similar mechanisms. We further argue that TBTSO can be implemented in hardware with modest modifications to existing TSO architectures. However, our design makes assumptions about proprietary implementation details of commercial hardware; it thus best serves as a starting point for a discussion on the feasibility of hardware TBTSO implementation. We also show how minimal OS support enables the adaptation of TBTSO algorithms to x86 systems.

Computational reflection and its application to platform verification

The complexity of modern hardware design has created the need for higher levels of abstraction, where system modeling is used to integrate modules into complex System-on-Chip (SoCs) platforms. SystemC, and its TLM (Transaction Level Modeling) extensions, have been used for this purpose mainly because of their fast prototyping and simulation features, which allow for early design space exploration. This paper proposes an approach to explore and interact with SystemC models by means of an introspection technique known as Computational Reflection. We use reflection to implement a white-box introspection mechanism called ReflexBox. We show that ReflexBox is a fast, non-intrusive technique that can be used to dynamically gather and inject stimuli into any SystemC module, without the need to use a proprietary SystemC implementation, change the SystemC library, instrument or even inspect the module source code. Our approach can be used to support many different verification tasks like platform debugging, performance evaluation and communication analysis. To show ReflexBox effectiveness we used it in three platforms case studies to address tasks like register inspection, performance analysis and signal replaying for testbench reuse. In all cases we assumed no source code availability and measured the impact on the overall platform performance.

THE USE OF STANDARDS IN HELIO

HELIO [8] is a project funded under the FP7 program for the discovery and analysis of data for heliophysics. During its development, standards and common frameworks were adopted in three main areas of the project: query services, processing services, and the security infrastructure. After a first, proprietary implementation of the security service, it was suggested moving it to a standard security framework to simplify the enforcement of security on the different sites. As the HELIO front end is built with Spring and the TAVERNA server (HELIO workflow engine) has a security framework compatible with Spring, it has been decided to move the CIS in Spring security [2]. HELIO has two different processing services: one is a generic processing service called HELIO Processing Services (HPS), the other is called Context Service (CTX) and it runs specific IDL procedures. The CTX implements the UWS [4] interface from the IVOA [5], a standard interface for job submission used in the helio and astro-physics community. In its final release, the HPS will expose an UWS compliant interface. Finally, some of the HELIO services perform queries, to simplify the implementation and usage of this services a single query interface (the HELIO Query Interface) has been designed for all these services. The use of these solutions for security, execution, and query allows for easier implementation of the original HELIO architecture and for a simpler deployment of the services.

Integrating vendors into cooperative design practices

This paper describes a new approach to cooperative design using distributed, off-the-shelf design components. The ultimate goal is to enable assemblers to rapidly design their products and perform simulations using parts that are offered by a global network of suppliers. The obvious way to realise this goal would be to transfer desired component models to the client computer. However, in order to protect proprietary data, manufacturers are reluctant to share their design models without non-disclosure agreements, which can take in the order of months to put in place. Due to bandwidth limitations, it is also impractical to keep the models at the manufacturer site and do simulations by simple message passing. To deal with these impediments in e-commerce the modular distributed modelling (MDM) methodology is leveraged, which enables transfer of component models while hiding proprietary implementation details. MDM methodology with routine design (RD) methods are augmented to realise a platform (RD-MDM) that enables automatic selection of secured off-the-shelf design components over the Internet, integration of these components in an assembly, running simulations for design testing and publishing the approved product model as a secured MDM agent. This paper demonstrates the capabilities of the RD-MDM platform on a fuel cell–battery hybrid vehicle design example.

Server-Based Computing Solution Based on Open Source Software

Server-Based Computing (SBC), i.e., replacing workstations with thin clients, is an effective solution to many IT problems, while free open source software is a cost-efficient alternative to proprietary software. We studied synergies of these two approaches. The results indicated that the open source SBC solution offered at least the same quality of service as the proprietary implementation but lowered the total cost of ownership around 50% compared to previous desktop PC solutions.