Solving resource availability cost problem in project scheduling by pseudo particle swarm optimization

This paper considers a project scheduling problem with the objective of minimizing resource availability costs appealed to finish al activities before the deadline. There are finish-start type precedence relations among the activities which require some kinds of renewable resources. We predigest the process of sol-ving the resource availability cost problem （RACP） by using start time of each activity to code the schedule. Then, a novel heuris-tic algorithm is proposed to make the process of looking for the best solution efficiently. And then pseudo particle swarm optimiza-tion （PPSO） combined with PSO and path relinking procedure is presented to solve the RACP. Final y, comparative computational experiments are designed and the computational results show that the proposed method is very effective to solve RACP.     

Shape control on probability density function in stochastic systems

A novel strategy of probability density function （PDF） shape control is proposed in stochastic systems. The control er is designed whose parameters are optimal y obtained through the improved particle swarm optimization algorithm. The parameters of the control er are viewed as the space position of a particle in particle swarm optimization algorithm and updated continual y until the control er makes the PDF of the state variable as close as possible to the expected PDF. The proposed PDF shape control technique is compared with the equivalent linearization technique through simulation experiments. The results show the superiority and the effectiveness of the proposed method. The control er is excellent in making the state PDF fol ow the expected PDF and has the very smal error between the state PDF and the expected PDF, solving the control problem of the PDF shape in stochastic systems effectively.     

Novel magnetic field computation model in pattern classification

Field computation, an emerging computation technique, has inspired passion of intelligence science research. A novel field computation model based on the magnetic field theory is constructed. The proposed magnetic field computation （MFC） model consists of a field simulator, a non-derivative optimization algo- rithm and an auxiliary data processing unit. The mathematical model is deduced and proved that the MFC model is equivalent to a quadratic discriminant function. Furthermore, the finite element prototype is derived, and the simulator is developed, combining with particle swarm optimizer for the field configuration. Two benchmark classification experiments are studied in the numerical experiment, and one notable advantage is demonstrated that less training samples are required and a better generalization can be achieved.     

Improved algorithms to plan missions for agile earth observation satellites

This study concentrates of the new generation of the agile （AEOS）. AEOS is a key study object on management problems earth observation satellite in many countries because of its many advantages over non-agile satellites. Hence, the mission planning and scheduling of AEOS is a popular research problem. This research investigates AEOS characteristics and establishes a mission planning model based on the working principle and constraints of AEOS as per analysis. To solve the scheduling issue of AEOS, several improved algorithms are developed. Simulation results suggest that these algorithms are effective.     

Low side lobe pattern synthesis using projection method with genetic algorithm for truncated cone conformal phased arrays

A hybrid method for synthesizing antenna＇s three dimensional （3D） pattern is proposed to obtain the low sidelobe feature of truncated cone conformal phased arrays. In this method, the elements of truncated cone conformal phased arrays are projected to the tangent plane in one generatrix of the truncated cone. Then two dimensional （2D） Chebyshev amplitude distribution optimization is respectively used in two mutual vertical directions of the tangent plane. According to the location of the elements, the excitation current amplitude distribution of each element on the conformal structure is derived reversely, then the excitation current amplitude is further optimized by using the genetic algorithm （GA）. A truncated cone problem with 8x8 elements on it, and a 3D pattern desired side lobe level （SLL） up to 35 dB, is studied. By using the hybrid method, the optimal goal is accomplished with acceptable CPU time, which indicates that this hybrid method for the low sidelobe synthesis is feasible.     

Best-retransmission count selection for environment optimization over wireless heterogeneous networks

This paper proposes an environment-aware best- retransmission count selected optimization control scheme over IEEE 802.11 multi-hop wireless networks. The proposed scheme predicts the wireless resources by using statistical channel state and provides maximum retransmission count optimization based on wireless channel environment state to improve the packet delivery success ratio. The media access control （MAC） layer selects the best-retransmission count by perceiving the types of packet loss in wireless link and using the wireless channel charac- teristics and environment information, and adjusts the packet for- warding adaptively aiming at improving the packet retransmission probability. Simulation results show that the best-retransmission count selected scheme achieves a higher packet successful delivery percentage and a lower packet collision probability than the corresponding traditional MAC transmission control protocols.     

Improved insensitive to input parameters trajectory clustering algorithm

The existing trajectory clustering （TRACLUS） is sensitive to the input parameters c and MinLns. The parameter value is changed a little, but cluster results are entirely different. Aiming at this vulnerability, a shielding parameters sensitivity trajectory cluster （SPSTC） algorithm is proposed which is insensitive to the input parameters. Firstly, some definitions about the core distance and reachable distance of line segment are presented, and then the algorithm generates cluster sorting according to the core dis- tance and reachable distance. Secondly, the reachable plots of line segment sets are constructed according to the cluster sorting and reachable distance. Thirdly, a parameterized sequence is extracted according to the reachable plot, and then the final trajectory cluster based on the parameterized sequence is acquired. The parameterized sequence represents the inner cluster structure of trajectory data. Experiments on real data sets and test data sets show that the SPSTC algorithm effectively reduces the sensitivity to the input parameters, meanwhile it can obtain the better quality of the trajectory cluster.     

Adaptive link layer security architecture for telecommand communications in space networks

Impressive advances in space technology are enabling complex missions, with potentially significant and long term impacts on human life and activities. In the vision of future space exploration, communication links among planets, satel ites, spacecrafts and crewed vehicles wil be designed according to a new paradigm, known as the disruption tolerant networking. In this scenario, space channel peculiarities impose a massive reengineering of many of the protocols usually adopted in terrestrial networks; among them, security solutions are to be deeply reviewed, and tailored to the specific space requirements. Security is to be provided not only to the payload data exchanged on the network, but also to the telecommands sent to a spacecraft, along possibly differentiated paths. Starting from the secure space telecommand design developed by the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems as a response to agency-based requirements, an adaptive link layer security architecture is proposed to address some of the chal enges for future space networks. Based on the analysis of the communication environment and the error diffusion properties of the authentication algorithms, a suitable mechanism is proposed to classify frame retransmission requests on the basis of the originating event （error or security attack） and reduce the impact of security operations. An adaptive algorithm to optimize the space control protocol, based on estimates of the time varying space channel, is also presented. The simulation results clearly demonstrate that the proposed architecture is feasible and efficient, especially when facing malicious attacks against frame transmission.     

Progress in reentry trajectory planning for hypersonic vehicle

The reentry trajectory planning for hypersonic vehicles is critical and challenging in the presence of numerous nonlinear equations of motion and path constraints, as well as guaranteed satisfaction of accuracy in meeting all the specified boundary conditions. In the last ten years, many researchers have investigated various strategies to generate a feasible or optimal constrained reentry trajectory for hypersonic vehicles. This paper briefly reviews the new research efforts to promote the capability of reentry trajectory planning. The progress of the onboard reentry trajectory planning, reentry trajectory optimization, and landing footprint is summarized. The main challenges of reentry trajectory planning for hypersonic vehicles are analyzed, focusing on the rapid reentry trajectory optimization, complex geographic constraints, and coop- erative strategies.     

System deployment optimization in architecture design

Optimization of architecture design has recently drawn research interest. System deployment optimization （SDO） refers to the process of optimizing systems that are being deployed to activi- ties. This paper first formulates a mathematical model to theorize and operationalize the SDO problem and then identifies optimal so- lutions to solve the SDO problem. In the solutions, the success rate of the combat task is maximized, whereas the execution time of the task and the cost of changes in the system structure are mini- mized. The presented optimized algorithm generates an optimal solution without the need to check the entire search space. A novel method is finally proposed based on the combination of heuristic method and genetic algorithm （HGA）, as well as the combination of heuristic method and particle swarm optimization （HPSO）. Experi- ment results show that the HPSO method generates solutions faster than particle swarm optimization （PSO） and genetic algo- rithm （GA） in terms of execution time and performs more efficiently than the heuristic method in terms of determining the best solution.     

Self-adaptive learning based discrete differential evolution algorithm for solving CJWTA problem

Cooperative jamming weapon-target assignment （CJWTA） problem is a key issue in electronic countermeasures （ECM）. Some symbols which relevant to the CJWTA are defined firstly. Then, a formulation of jamming fitness is presented. Final y, a model of the CJWTA problem is constructed. In order to solve the CJWTA problem efficiently, a self-adaptive learning based discrete differential evolution （SLDDE） algorithm is proposed by introduc-ing a self-adaptive learning mechanism into the traditional discrete differential evolution algorithm. The SLDDE algorithm steers four candidate solution generation strategies simultaneously in the framework of the self-adaptive learning mechanism. Computa-tional simulations are conducted on ten test instances of CJWTA problem. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed SLDDE algorithm not only can generate better results than only one strategy based discrete differential algorithms, but also outper-forms two algorithms which are proposed recently for the weapon-target assignment problems.     

Azimuth resolution improvement for spaceborne SAR images with quasi-non-overlapped Doppler bandwidth

The azimuth resolution improvement problem is solved via a coherent combination of synthetic aperture radar （SAR） ima-ges with the quasi-non-overlapped Doppler bandwidth. Prior to the spectra combination, SAR images should be coregistered, while phase biases induced by topography, atmospheric propagation delays and baseline measurement errors should be calibrated. However, the coregistration accuracy suffers from large Doppler decorrelation caused by the quasi-non-overlapped Doppler band-width. Furthermore, the method used to estimate phase biases from interferogram of azimuth prefiltered SAR image pairs wil fail when there is no overlapped spectrum. The fringe simulation and maximum sharpness optimization are adopted to deal with the problems. Accordingly, a novel algorithm to coherently synthesize SAR images is presented. The experiment with the Terra SAR X-band （TerraSAR-X） satel ite data validates the performance of the presented method.     

Test selection and optimization for PHM based on failure evolution mechanism model

The test selection and optimization （TSO） can improve the abilities of fault diagnosis, prognosis and health-state evalua- tion for prognostics and health management （PHM） systems. Traditionally, TSO mainly focuses on fault detection and isolation, but they cannot provide an effective guide for the design for testability （DFT） to improve the PHM performance level. To solve the problem, a model of TSO for PHM systems is proposed. Firstly, through integrating the characteristics of fault severity and propa- gation time, and analyzing the test timing and sensitivity, a testability model based on failure evolution mechanism model （FEMM） for PHM systems is built up. This model describes the fault evolution- test dependency using the fault-symptom parameter matrix and symptom parameter-test matrix. Secondly, a novel method of in- herent testability analysis for PHM systems is developed based on the above information. Having completed the analysis, a TSO model, whose objective is to maximize fault trackability and mini- mize the test cost, is proposed through inherent testability analysis results, and an adaptive simulated annealing genetic algorithm （ASAGA） is introduced to solve the TSO problem. Finally, a case of a centrifugal pump system is used to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed models and methods. The results show that the proposed technology is important for PHM systems to select and optimize the test set in order to improve their performance level.     

Novel multi-objective optimization algorithm

Many multi-objective evolutionary algorithms （MOEAs） can converge to the Pareto optimal front and work well on two or three objectives, but they deteriorate when faced with manyobjective problems. Indicator-based MOEAs, which adopt various indicators to evaluate the fitness values （instead of the Paretodominance relation to select candidate solutions）, have been regarded as promising schemes that yield more satisfactory results than well-known algorithms, such as non-dominated sort- ing genetic algorithm （NSGA-II） and strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm （SPEA2）. However, they can suffer from having a slow convergence speed. This paper proposes a new indicatorbased multi-objective optimization algorithm, namely, the multi- objective shuffled frog leaping algorithm based on the ε indicator （ε-MOSFLA）. This algorithm adopts a memetic meta-heuristic, namely, the SFLA, which is characterized by the powerful capability of global search and quick convergence as an evolutionary strategy and a simple and effective E-indicator as a fitness assignment scheme to conduct the search procedure. Experimental results, in comparison with other representative indicator-based MOEAs and traditional Pareto-based MOEAs on several standard test problems with up to 50 objectives, show that ε-MOSFLA is the best algorithm for solving many-objective optimization problems in terms of the solution quality as well as the speed of convergence.     

Cramer-Rao bound and signal-to-noise ratio gain in distributed coherent aperture radar

This paper studies the estimation performance of the coherent processing parameter （CPP）, including time delay differences and phase synchronization errors among different apertures of the distributed coherent aperture radar （DCAR）. Firstly, three architectures of signal processing in the DCAR are introduced. Secondly, the closed-form Cramer-Rao bound （CRB） of the CPP estimation is derived and compared. Then, the closed-form CRB is verified by numerical simulations. Finally, when the next generation radar works in a fully coherent mode, the closed-form signal-to-noise ratio （SNR） gain of the three architectures is presented.     

WHO WON THE 2008 OLYMPICS？ A MULTICRITERIA DECISION OF MEASURING INTANGIBLES

It often happens that at the end of Olympics games the medals won by more than one country are many and close in total number as in the 2008 games where China won 100 medals with many gold ones and the United States won 110 medals but with a lesser number of gold medals. The question is： Although it is often done arbitrarily, is there a way to quantify the values of gold, silver and bronze medals legitimately to resolve this concern？ This short exposition shows that there is by using the author＇s theory for the measurement of intangibles, the Analytic Hierarchy Process.     

Asymptotic and stable proper ties of general stochastic functional differential equations

The asymptotic and stable properties of general stochastic functional differential equations are investigated by the multiple Lyapunov function method, which admits non-negative up-per bounds for the stochastic derivatives of the Lyapunov functions, a theorem for asymptotic properties of the LaSal e-type described by limit sets of the solutions of the equations is obtained. Based on the asymptotic properties to the limit set, a theorem of asymptotic stability of the stochastic functional differential equations is also established, which enables us to construct the Lyapunov functions more easily in application. Particularly, the wel-known classical theorem on stochastic stability is a special case of our result, the operator LV is not required to be negative which is more general to fulfil and the stochastic perturbation plays an important role in it. These show clearly the improvement of the traditional method to find the Lyapunov functions. A numerical simulation example is given to il ustrate the usage of the method.     

FAMILIES OF p-ARY SEQUENCES WITH LOW CORRELATION AND LARGE LINEAR COMPLEXITY

This paper generalizes a method of generating shift sequences in the interleaved construc- tion proposed by Gong. With the new shift sequences, some new families of p-ary sequences with desired properties can be obtained. A lower bound on the number of new families of binary sequences is also established.     

Spectral analysis and stabilization of a coupled wave-ODE system

In this paper, an interconnected wave-ODE system with K-V damping in the wave equation and unknown parameters in the ODE is considered. It is found that the spectrum of the system operator is composed of two parts： Point spectrum and continuous spectrum. The continuous spectrum consists of an isolated point 1 1/d, and there are two branches of the asymptotic eigenvalues： The first branch is accumulating towards 1 -2, and the other branch tends to -∞. It is shown that there is a sequence of generalized eigenfunctions, which forms a Riesz basis for the Hilbert state space. As a consequence, the spectrum-determined growth condition and exponential stability of the system are concluded.     

Interactive multigraph visualization and exploration with a two-phase strategy

While it is very reasonable to use a multigraph consisting of multiple edges between vertices to represent various relationships, the multigraph has not drawn much attention in research. To visualize such a multigraph, a clear layout representing a global structure is of great importance, and interactive visual analysis which allows the multiple edges to be adjusted in appropriate ways for detailed presentation is also essential. A novel interactive two-phase approach to visualizing and exploring multigraph is proposed. The approach consists of two phases： the first phase improves the previous popular works on force-directed methods to produce a brief drawing for the aggregation graph of the input multigraph, while the second phase proposes two interactive strategies, the magnifier model and the thematic-oriented subgraph model. The former highlights the internal details of an aggregation edge which is selected interactively by user, and draws the details in a magnifying view by cubic Bezier curves; the latter highlights only the thematic subgraph consisting of the selected multiple edges that the user concerns. The efficiency of the proposed approach is demonstrated with a real-world multigraph dataset and how it is used effectively is discussed for various potential applications.