A critique of hierarchy theory

In our zeal to apply models successfully, failures of the model are often overlooked. A model may be used for quite some time before its success is questioned or before the model fails to be applied successfully. Since hierarchy theory has been deemed successful in the systems field, it is necessary and appropriate to critique the development and application of hierarchy theory using the framework presented inCreative Problem Solving (Flood and Jackson, 1992). That framework proposes a critique that uses the four areas of theory, utility, ideology, and methodology in reviewing a systems theory. It is important to examine hierarchy theory through the analytical filter of critical systems thinking if we are genuinely to understand what hierarchy theory has to offer systems thinking in the exploration of complex situations.     

Science as Systemic Intervention: Some Implications of Systems Thinking and Complexity for the Philosophy of Science

This paper sidesteps the usual starting points for debate about complexity and the philosophy of science, which tend to assume that science is primarily about observation. Instead, the starting point is intervention, defined as purposeful action by an agent to create change. While some authors suggest that intervention and observation are opposites, it is argued here that observation (as undertaken in science) should be viewed as just one type of intervention. We should therefore welcome scientific techniques of observation into a pluralistic set of intervention methods, alongside methods for exploring values, reflecting on subjective understandings, planning future activities, etc. However, there is a need to explicitly counter a possible pernicious interpretation of this argument: intervention could (erroneously) be viewed as flawlessly preplanned change based on accurate predictions of the consequences of action. This is the mechanistic worldview that systems thinking and complexity science seek to challenge. Therefore, having redefined scientific observation as intervention, the paper revisits insights from systems thinking and complexity to propose a methodology of systemic intervention. Some brief reflections are then provided on the wider social implications of this methodology.     

A Maturing of Systems Thinking? Evidence from Three Perspectives

This paper reviews trends in systems theory/thinking from the 1970s to the early 2000s. It proposes a maturation of the field based on certain conceptual and methodological advances that have sought to liberate systems thinking from earlier strictures. An edited dialogue among three prominent systems thinkers from different systems schools—Merrelyn Emery, Bob Flood, and Eric Wolstenholme—provides evidence. Similarities and differences are identified, complementarities among the schools are derived and analyzed, and trajectories for future research are indicated.     

Refocusing Systems Analysis of Organizations Through a Semiotic Lens: Interpretive Framework and Method

Recent advances in systems theory have significantly raised its utility for supporting problem-structuring activity in organizations. However, this approach has been inadequately developed for representing and evaluating the nature and outcomes of organizational functioning. Toward that end this paper introduces a new method, called interpretive systems analysis, which incorporates ideas from semiotic theory. Using this method, the complex web of agents, actions, means, and circumstances in organizational functioning may be analytically discriminated into multiple courses of action that are emphasized on dimensions of legitimacy, motivation, and power. An integrative appraisal of key elements and factors shaping organizational performance may then be achieved through the formulation of “systems of significance,” formed of oppositional and associative relations. Organizations can thus be illuminated in terms of principle inconsistencies and tensions shaping their operations. The application and utility of this method is illustrated through a case study of customer service operations.     

基于软件通信体系结构的无线通信系统研究

采用软件无线电技术和模块化设计思路,构造新式无线通信系统是无线通信发展的趋势。介绍了软件通信体系结构(softwarecommunicationarchitecture,SCA)的设计理念。对硬件体系结构、软件体系结构和安全体系结构进行了讨论。建立了基于SCA的无线通信系统模型,分析了采用面向对象设计的硬件模块属性。描述了用于实现通信功能的资源,并对应用程序接口提出了要求。     

A multiperspective systems-based framework for decision support systems design

This paper reviews the dominant approaches to the design of decision support systems with reference to recent developments in information technology. The complexities and difficulties of the various developments are also discussed and their implications explored. A multiperspective, systems-based framework is presented which aims to lessen these difficulties. The framework is based on the theory and concepts of critical systems thinking.     

网络控制系统实时仿真平台的设计与开发

网络控制系统(NCSs)是通过通信网络实现控制系统单元信息交换的分布式控制系统.由于通信网络的引入,有可能使控制系统的性能降低甚至导致系统不稳定,这些不利因素使得对网络控制系统的分析研究变得更为复杂.利用混合编程技术并搭建基于实时通信网络的仿真平台,可为网络控制系统提供有利的分析工具.最后以状态反馈控制器为仿真实例,证明该研究平台的优势及有效性.     

Dealing with coercion: Critical Systems Heuristics and beyond

This paper begins with an introduction to the philosophy and methodology of Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH). Following this, various citicisms of CSH are reviewed. One particularly important criticism is that CSH should not be seen as a replacement for other systems approaches, but as complementary to them. It is this idea of complementarity that has led several Critical Systems thinkers to take CSH, along with a number of other systems methods, and try to show that they are most appropriately used in different contexts. CSH, it is said, is at its most useful when we are confronted with coercive situations. However, in this paper it is argued that coercion is usually characterised by closure of debate. Therefore CSH, which depends upon the possibility of communication (or arbitration) between stakeholder groups, becomes redundant when coercion is experienced. It is further argued that coercion can only be addressed adequately by widening our definition of systems practice to include campaigning and direct political action. There is still considerable scope for developing these areas in the systems domain.     

The Role of the Qualifying Function Concept in Systems Design

In this paper I explore potential benefits with using the concept qualifying function as a tool for systems design. The concept originates from the philosophy of Herman Dooyeweerd and refers to the function or character that guides and directs the internal structure of an entity or activity. This means that if the qualifying function for an entity or activity changes, its structure as a whole will change as well. Due to this, the concept and its related theory can help people to view situations from new and different perspectives and to explore the consequences of different views. It can provide a common base for the design around which accommodation more easily can be reached and from where further discussions can be continued. Finally, it has the potential to point at fundamental differences of opinion between participants and stakeholders.     

A performance evaluation index system for multimedia communication networks and forecasting for web-based network traffic

This paper presents a new index system for the performance evaluation and network planning of multimedia communication systems using measurement on actual systems to support several different traffic types. In this index system, we develop an expert system to evaluate the performance of such multimedia communication networks including channel utilization and call blocking probability and packet delay, and apply the network planning methods to optimize the networks and forecast the demand of the growing multimedia communications systems. Two important planning problems for the multimedia communication systems are presented: optimization problem for construction of the world system and forecast problem for increasing traffic demands. We first discuss analysis methods, performance measures for the multimedia communication systems. Then, we describe network planning methods for the multimedia communication systems and give some efficiency network planning methods. Finally, we present some results studied in     

软件仿真在扩频通信系统中的应用研究

主要研究了软件仿真技术在扩频通信系统中的应用,提出了软件仿真扩频通信系统的设计思想,详细分析了重点抽样技术（Ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｃｅ Ｓａｍｐｌｉｎｇ） 对仿真估值扩频通信系统的误码率所起的作用。最后,本文给出了一个仿真实例。     

Fostering Design Culture Through Cultivating the User-Designers' Design Thinking and Systems Thinking

In this paper, the essence of design thinking and systems thinking is reviewed, analyzed, and synthesized. Although there are many valuable schools of systems thinking, I focus on both Banathy's and Senge's since there are design spirit embedded in their systems thinking. I attempt to grasp the spirit of Banathy's systems models and the essence of Senge's systems thinking, incorporating them into my design inquiry. I propose adopting an enlightened, transformative design approach in order to enhance the revolution of the public's inner and outer systems through collaborative design engagement. It is expected that by utilizing the transformative design approach, the public or user–designers could gain the necessary skills to envision their own learning, assume responsibility for designing their own learning environments, and systematically reflect upon their habitual thinking and actions. Ultimately, the user-designers would be able to transform their model-driven or theory-driven approaches to systems application into a cultural approach to the cultivation of systems thinking and design thinking. Indeed, design thinking, as well as contemporary systems thinking are two powerful wings to make us fly in the capacious learning world of the 21st century.     

侦察装备体系无线带宽需求生成方法

基于能力的武器装备体系需求论证思路已逐渐被接受,但缺少定量的方法支撑该思路用于具体的需求生成过程。针对如何获取侦察装备体系的无线带宽需求,研究了基于通信能力的带宽需求生成方法。通过综合运用网络建模、排队论和仿真分析手段,提出无线带宽需求生成框架,分析带宽和能力需求的定量关系,构建侦察装备体系网络模型和带宽仿真分析模型,求得满足通信能力的体系带宽值;通过调整拓扑连接生成体系带宽需求的更优解,为侦察装备体系的需求开发提供了支撑。     

Unfolding a Theory of Systemic Intervention

This paper interrogates four perspectives (structuralist community psychology, deconstruction, interpretive systemology, and critical systems thinking) to inform the unfolding of a theory of systemic intervention. A vision of epistemology is provided which clarifies the relationships among knowledge, power, will and intervention, and a normative framework for systemic intervention is then presented. Finally, the theory unfolded in this paper is deconstructed to reveal a second theory, yet to be explored, of systemic life projects. This provides an exciting agenda for future research.     

一类介质访问约束下的网络控制系统设计

针对多输入多输出的网络控制系统,传感器和执行器为时间驱动,由于网络资源的有限性,在每个传输周期内,系统往往只有部分传感器和执行器得到网络介质访问权,与远程控制器进行数据传输,这称为网络控制系统的介质访问约束性,它极大地影响到系统的稳定性和控制性能,成为网络控制中亟待解决的问题。针对这一问题将网络控制系统建模为输出矩阵和输入矩阵随介质约束改变的切换系统,并利用切换系统分析方法和稳定性理论,设计了切换观测器和基于观测器的状态反馈控制器,分析了周期调度下该网络控制闭环系统的稳定性,最后通过仿真验证了这种方法的有效性。     

The origins and nature of critical systems thinking

Critical systems thinking is a relative newcomer in the systems tradition of thought. Nevertheless, it has already made a number of significant contributions to the field and is now developing more quickly than any other part of systems thinking. The paper charts the origins and nature of this evolving, critical systems, body of work. The author's own impressions of its development are first set out. This helps establish that critical systems thinking has come to rest upon five commitments which define its essential character. These commitments are then used to classify the published literature associated with critical systems thinking. The result is a review of the origins and nature of critical systems thinking up to 1990.     

Knowledge reconstruction and justification for regional vitalization

This paper considers the regional vitalization problem and discusses the methodology to create regional vitalization plans, which include activating the local economy, enriching people＇s lives, and activating the feelings of people, by new initiatives. Activily underlying the methodology is the experience of implementing several actual projects with the local residents, and theory underlying the methodology is the knowledge construction and justification theory based on knowledge management and systems thinking. Introducing an actual vitalization project as an illustrative example, the paper proposes a knowledge reconstruction and justification procedure for regional vitalization.     

微蜂窝MIMO通信系统信道模型研究

城市微蜂窝移动通信电波传播环境相当复杂,特别是针对未来陆地蜂窝移动通信系统基于智能天线应用的规范标准要求,建立这种无线传播信道的有效模型无论对理论分析、系统优化设计以及网络工程规划来说都是非常重要的。为此从多径色散信道的特性分析出发,采用电磁散射理论和电波传播原理建立了基于阵列天线的微蜂窝多输入多输出物理信道模型,对刻画信道特性的一些重要性能参数,如空间相关性和时间演化等进行了仿真分析和研究。与有关文献结果的比较,表明了所建立的微蜂窝移动通信信道模型的有效性。     

射频通信链路的计算机仿真

通信系统的计算机仿真在通信系统设计与实现过程中起着重要的作用。本文讨论了射频通信链路仿真的基本原理和方法,并利用交互式的通信链路仿真平台ＳＰＷ实现了理想的射频通信链路仿真。在此基础上可进行更复杂的通信链路的仿真。