Robust model predictive control of continuous uncertain systems*

The authors concern robust model predictive control for linear continuous systems with polytopic uncertainties and input constraints. At each sampling time, a piecewise constant control sequence is obtained by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities. The sufficient conditions on the existence of the model predictive control are given, and the robust stability of the closed-loop systems is guaranteed. A simulation example illustrates the efficiency of the proposed method.     

Participatory Sustainability Impact Assessment: Scientific Policy Advice as a Social Learning Process

This paper deals with the development of scientific policy advice by providing a methodology to foster a social learning process. The methodology, called participatory Sustainability Impact Assessment (pSIA), aims to structure complex problem situations, to clarify interests and basic assumptions, to interpret scientific studies, to develop impact assessment, and to explore sensitivity of uncertainty and lack of information. In pSIA workshops the participants are supposed to build conceptual models with different modelling methods, like System Dynamics, Value Chain Analysis, and Morphological Analysis. A case study is presented that describes a workshop series with political as well as academic actors, applying the pSIA approach to an impact assessment of Economic Partnership Agreements between the European Union and the Eastern and Southern Africa Region.

Conflict Pattern Analysis: Preparing the Ground for Participation in Policy Implementation

The participation of non-state actors in implementation processes is often understood as a means to increase compliance efficiency. But the implementation of spatial policies frequently focuses on pre-established goals, processes and instruments and thus renders difficult open discourse and shared decision-making. This paper introduces conflict pattern analysis (CPA) as a tool that supports the analysis of the actual actor constellation in order to define efficient approaches that avoid common problems of participatory processes. CPA is a semi-formalised method that helps to identify key-actors, their relations and interaction amongst each other as well as their core beliefs, interests and resources. It aggregates this information to interaction patterns that can be compared, classified and linked to different participatory methods on a theoretically informed basis. Particularly on the local and regional level, this could be the first step for successful (participatory) implementation strategies.     

Tax Evasion: Models with Self-Audit

Different from traditional tax audit, supervision with self-audit is a combination of audit by the taxpayer himself and audit by the tax authority. This paper mainly studies a taxpayer＇s optimal policy of tax evasion under supervision with self-audit and its related properties, in order to deduce some effective suggestions and theoretical bases to restrain tax evasion. Assuming that only a certain proportion of evaded tax can be discovered when the audit is executed, the authors first formulate a static model with self-audit. This model is divided into two stages. At the first stage, taxpayers declare their taxes, then the tax authority chooses audit objects, based on a known probability, and announces the result; if the taxpayer is chosen, he will enter the second stage, during which he has a chance to pay the evaded tax and the corresponding late fees and then is audited by the tax authority. The authors show the existence and uniqueness of the optimal amount of tax evasion at the first stage and the optimal proportion to self-expose at the second stage. The authors also discuss the related properties of the interior solution, and do elasticity analyses on some parameters. Besides, the authors extend the static model into the corresponding two-period model, and study the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the extended model. Finally, under the assumption that tax evasion can only be discovered with a certain probability when the audit is executed, the authors formulate another static model with self-audit and investigate its properties.     

Waveform diversity based sonar system for target localization

A new monostatic army system taking advantage of diverse waveforms to improve the performance of underwater target localization is proposed.Unlike the coherent signals between different elements in common active array,the transmitted signals from different elements here are spatially orthogonal waveforms which allow for array processing in the transit mode and result in an extension of array aperture.The mathematical derivation of Capon estimator for this sonar system is described in detail.And the performance of this orthogonal-waveform based sonar is analyzed and compared with that of its phased-array counterpart by water tank experiments.Experimental results show that this sonar system could achieve 12 dB-15 dB additional array gain over its phased-array counterpart,which means a doubling of maximum detection range.Moreover,the angular resolution is significantly improved at lower SNR.     

Process capability analysis and estimation scheme for autocorrelated data

<正>Autocorrelation is prevalent in continuous production processes,such as the processes in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.With the development of measurement technology and data acquisition technology,sampling frequency is getting higher and the existence of autocorrelation cannot be ignored.This paper analyzes five estimation schemes of process capability for autocorrelated data.Comparisons among these schemes are discussed for small sample and large sample.In conclusion,this paper gives a procedure of process capability analysis for autocorrelated data.     

Clustering patents using non-exhaustive overlaps

Patent documents are unique external sources of information that reveal the core technology underlying new inventions.Patents also serve as a strategic data source that can be mined to discover state-of-the-art technical development and subsequently help guide R&D investments.This research incorporates an ontology schema to extract and represent patent concepts.A clustering algorithm with non-exhaustive overlaps is proposed to overcome deficiencies with exhaustive clustering methods used in patent mining and technology discovery.The non-exhaustive clustering approach allows for the clustering of patent documents with overlapping technical findings and claims,a feature that enables the grouping of patents that define related key innovations.Legal advisors can use this approach to study potential cases of patent infringement or devise strategies to avoid litigation.The case study demonstrates the use of non-exhaustive overlaps algorithm by clustering US and Japan radio frequency identification (RFID) patents and by analyzing the legal implications of automated discovery of patent infringement.     

Connecting informal networks to management of tacit knowledge

The relationship between tacit knowledge and informal networks has not been fully explored.Tacit knowledge cannot be well managed directly,because it is deeply embedded in individual actions and experiences.This study proposes an approach to managing informal networks as a new middle way to facilitate the sharing and transferring of tacit knowledge,owing to the fact that tacit knowledge is mostly shared and transferred through informal networks.To support the idea of the approach,an empirical case study of applying the approach to management of a large scientific project is also included.Our findings suggest that informal networks play essential roles for management of tacit knowledge,and thus good management of informal networks can lead to efficient sharing and transferring of tacit knowledge.     

模糊检索系统研究

模糊性是人类思维和客观事物普遍具有的属性之一。为了克服现行计算机信息系统的局限性 ,模糊检索应运而生。运用模糊技术开发的计算机信息系统既允许用户用自然语言进行信息查询 ,又能给出输出信号项与用户查询的关联度 ,协助用户完成信息处理任务 ,因而具有一定的人脑进行模糊信息处理的能力。简要讨论了模糊检索系统的结构 ,模糊知识库及其管理 ,模糊数据库的组织等。     

近程雷达目标多分量信号处理研究

以目标多点散射模型为背景 ,提出了FM近程雷达回波混频后多分量信号模型。证明单频信号瞬时频率定义不适合多分量信号。首次提出利用TLS -拓广ESPRIT结合数理统计方法求解多分量信号平均频率。计算机模拟表明 ,该方法用于测距时 ,测试精度高。