On the history of Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s “General Systemology”, and on its relationship to cybernetics – part III: convergences and divergences

Bertalanffy’s so-called “general system theory” (GST) and cybernetics were and are often confused: this calls for clarification. In this article, Bertalanffy’s conceptions and ideas are compared with those developed in cybernetics in order to investigate the differences and convergences. Bertalanffy was concerned with first order cybernetics. Nonetheless, his perspectivist epistemology is also relevant with regard to developments in second order cybernetics, and the latter is therefore also considered to some extent. W. Ross Ashby’s important role as mediator between GST and cybernetics is analysed. The respective basic epistemological approaches, scientific approaches and inherent world views are discussed. We underline the complementarity of cybernetic and “organismic” trends in systems research within the unitary hermeneutical framework of “general systemology”.     

Creating a specific domain ontology for supporting R&D in the science-based sector – The case of biosensors

In science-based and technology-intensive projects, knowledge management challenges require a tentative and cautious review of the technological domains, as well as, venues to monitor and assess the way those domains evolve, emerge, mature, and decline. Ontologies play a crucial role in conceptualizing/formalizing domain knowledge, yet any ontological platform that is constructed for supporting R&D throughout the knowledge creation process, must explicitly address the interplay between exploitation and exploration of knowledge at deep and surface levels. Focusing on the product per se and its downstream and upstream knowledge evolution complex system, ontology engineering adopts herein a process-driven view for capturing a continuously changing environment. The authors present a methodological framework for creating specific domain ontologies by means of a cybernetic infrastructure built on a modification of the Nonaka’s SECI process. This rationale is exemplified on biosensors, a class of devices strongly attached to multidisciplinary basic and applied science, bearing along many levels of input and output knowledge. The proposed ontological representation, expresses and defines a target product as a metamodel. Combined with knowledge about the scientific background of the product, an aspect model at physical concept level is generated from the metamodel and is further converted into a design model. This scheme enables knowledge to be used not only for representation but also for reasoning at functional level. The research logic followed herein does not bring yet another ontology building methodology through a project-management context, but rather contributes to an ontological approach for exploring the diverse knowledge inputs that a product requires through a specific domain-derived and domain-oriented context, which relies on a collaborative model building methodology and a systemic modeling formalism by using 2nd order cybernetics in order to include human intervention.     

Robust stochastic tracking for discrete-time models: designing of ellipsoid where random trajectories converge with probability one

We study the behaviour of stochastic discrete-time models controlled by an output linear feedback during a tracking process. The controlled system is assumed to be nonlinear satisfying the global ‘quasi-Lipschitz’ condition and subjected to stochastic input and output disturbances. Two gain matrices (in a feedback and in an observer) define an ‘averaged’ ellipsoid in the tracking-error space where all system's trajectories arrive ‘with probability one’. The selection of the ‘best’ gain matrices is realised numerically by application of the robust attractive ellipsoid method with the linear matrix inequality technique application. The suggested approach is illustrated by designing of a robust tracking controller for a benchmark example in the presence of stochastic noises both in the state dynamics and in the output observations.     

Unified field theory for space-time systems

The communication efficiency associated with the problems of transmitting information in space and time is known to be dependent upon the characteristics of the transmission medium. Notably Turin (1977), Kailath (1961), and Bello (1963) have considered the temporal channel response as a function of the channel time and delay spread processes. The physics of the medium have not been considered. Middleton and Groginsky (1965) and Wittwer (1980) have attempted to incorporate the physics of the medium in a strictly temporal channel model. This paper presents a theory that generalizes the earlier work for characterizing medium-induced effects upon deterministic and random space-time fields, and the theory is applicable to any frequency band in the electromagnetic spectrum. For a linear medium, a space-time system field function (S-TSFF) is introduced as a system model for an arbitrary (turbulent or material) medium (Lo 1988). The unified system field theory states that the output space-time field is related to the input space-time field and the S-TSFF through a set of space-time superposition integrals. The geometry between the energy source, the medium, and the observed world-point area or volume is dependent on the chosen coordinate system, and is implicitly expressed by the space-time superposition integrals. (The term world-point was used by Minkowski (1908) to denote a point in a four-dimensional space-time coordinate system. To distinguish our approach from the analysis of arbitrary events in a space-time manifold, the terms world-area and world-volume are chosen to denote the ‘simultaneity in space’ as opposed to the notation of world-line and world-space used in the theory of relativity.) For a deterministic input space-time field, the statistics of the output field are solely dependent on the S-TSFF. For a random input space-time field, the statistics of the output field are related to the statistics of the input field and the S-TSFF. In either case, the statistical characterization can be expressed in terms of a space-time correlation function, or, equivalentIy, the space-time power spectral density of the input-output fields and of the S-TSFF. The space-time correlation function of the S-TSFF generalizes the concept of the mutual coherence function (MCF) used in statistical optics (Born and Wolf 1970). A dual property for the S-TSFF is observed and it is shown to be consistent with the duality principle in physics and the linear system theory in engineering. This space-time duality concept leads to the conclusion that fundamental properties of matter are imbedded in all physically realizable systems. This conclusion has far reaching implications in many detection, instrumentation, and measurement systems—for example, the uncertainty principle can be applied to analyse the stability of atomic clocks and trap ion frequency standards. The medium's response to an applied field is dependent upon whether the observed field is due to a space-time point source, a space-time plane wave, or something in-between. The space-time system field theory has numerous applications in system engineering, e.g. communications, radar, sonar, optics, and various imaging systems.     

起重机吊重系统状态观测器设计与仿真

针对工程实际中起重机吊重摆角和摆角角速度不易直接测量的问题,利用小车位置信息设计了状态观测器,对吊重摆角和摆角角速度信息进行估计。通过引入观测器输出与小车吊重系统输出之间的差值并经过观测器的增益向量调节送至观测器的输入端,合理配置观测器的极点,实现观测器对摆角和摆角角速度稳定、快速估计。仿真研究表明:基于状态估计的吊重摆角信息获取方法可行,观测器能在2s内实现在线观测,而且具有较强的鲁棒性;随着极点的增大,观测器对吊重和绳长的变化具有更宽的适应范围,但极点过大时,估计误差会出现上冲或下冲的现象;观测器对绳长的变化始终比对吊重的变化更敏感。     

面向工程教育认证的计算机专业课程体系建设

课程教学是培养学生解决复杂工程问题能力的重要手段,符合要求的课程体系是通过工程教育认证的基础。本文根据培养目标、毕业要求、课程体系三者之间的支撑关系,阐述了计算机科学与技术专业课程体系的构建及持续改进过程,并进行了实施效果分析。实践结果表明,新构建的课程体系能够有效地支撑毕业要求及培养目标的达成。     

Scenarios and task analysis

A Critical Review of Carroll's book on scenario-based design is offered [Making Use: Scenario-Based Design of Human–Computer Interactions (2000)]. Carroll characterises scenarios as ‘stories about use’. The paper demonstrates that Carroll's proposals about scenarios and their use in software engineering can be fitted into the broader framework of task analysis in Human–Computer Interaction.     

ON ANALOGY FOR SOFTWARE REUSE: A PERSPECTIVE FROM CYBERNETICS

Principles developed in cybernetics and systems theory can offer meaningful hindsight to research and development in computer science and may also provide some kind of guidance to the future study of computer science. In this paper we provide some comments on the role of analogy in software reuse from the perspective of cybernetics. Our purpose is to encourage a dialogue between researchers in software engineering and those in the study of cybernetics and systems. Three aspects of cybernetics are examined: the two-dimensional nature of cybernetics and systems theory, software reuse as a form of self-adaptation that originated from the abstract schema implied by analogy, and the nonrational cognitive process involved in using analogy for software reuse. We hope that cybernetics can provide meaningful insight related to analogy in software reuse; we also hope this kind of study will benefit cybernetics itself.     

Some peculiarities of load sharing control

In the recently published book, ‘Load Sharing Control’ (Eitelberg, 1999), a frequency domain, loop‐by‐loop load sharing control system design methodology was developed and demonstrated with engineering examples. A number of new concepts were introduced in order to characterize some peculiarities that are not relevant in single‐loop control systems, or have been overlooked in the general multivariable control system theory. Some of these concepts and peculiarities are introduced and explained in this paper with a minimum of technical detail. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Performance extrapolation in discrete-event systems simulation

The use of simulation as an engineering tool to design complex computer stochastic systems is often inhibited by cost. Extensive computer processing is needed to recompute performance functions for changes in input parameters. Moreover, simulation models are often subject to errors caused by the input data in estimating the parameters of the input distributions. The ‘;what if analysis is needed to establish confidence in a models validity with respect to small changes in the system’s parameters. To solve the ‘what if problem for several scenarios requires a separate simulation run for each scenario. A method to estimate the performance for several scenarios using a single simulation run based on the efficient score function is developed. The approximate function is an exponential random function which is tangential to the performance function in expectation. We study the algorithm's properties and examine the validity of the estimates based on this single run procedure by performing some experimental studies on some simple queueing and pert models. Implementation ‘details’ necessary to package this method with existing simulation software are provided. Finally, there is a set of recommended directions for future research     

Hierarchical TS fuzzy system and its universal approximation

An efficient tool to deal with the ‘rule explosion’ problem is the hierarchical system by which a fuzzy system can be decomposed into a number of hierarchically connected low-dimensional systems. In this paper a generalized hierarchical Tagaki–Sugeno (TS) system is built. It is shown that the input–output (I/O) relationship of this generalized hierarchical system can be represented as one of a standard TS fuzzy system. And the system approximation capability is analyzed by taking piecewise linear functions as a bridge. By constructive method it is proven that the hierarchical fuzzy systems (HFS’s) can be universal approximators. For the given approximation accuracy, an estimation formula about the number of the rules needed in the HFS is established. Finally some simulation examples confirm that the HFS’s with smaller size rule base can approximate the given functions with high accuracy. The results obtained here provide us with the theoretical basis for various applications of HFS’s.     

Intelligent Control for Haptic Displays

Usually, a mouse is used for input activities only, whereas output from the computer is sent via the monitor and one or two loudspeakers. But why not use the mouse for output, too? For instance, if it would be possible to predict the next interaction object the user wants to click on, a mouse with a mechanical brake could stop the cursor movement at the desired position. This kind of aid is especially attractive for small targets like resize handles of windows or small buttons. In this paper, we present an approach for the integration of haptic feedback in everyday graphical user interfaces. We use a specialized mouse which, is able to apply simple haptic information, to the user's hand and index finger. A multi-agent system has been designed which ‘observes’ the ‘user in order to predict the next interaction object and launch haptic feedback, thus supporting positioning actions with the mouse. Although primarily designed in order to provide intelligent’ haptic feedback, the system can be combined with other output modalities as well, due to its modular and flexible architecture.     

工程教育认证背景下设计模式课程教学研究

工程教育是我国高等教育的重要组成部分,工程教育认证已成为中国高校新的风向标,也成为高考生选择报考专业的一项重要指标。设计模式是计算机科学与技术专业的一门核心课程,包含了面向对象的精髓,是软件体系结构的基础,在工程教育认证所评估的课程设置中起着承上启下的关键作用。本文基于工程教育专业认证理念,以及山东农业大学申请认证所用的《计算机科学与技术专业培养方案》,从教学内容、教学方式、课程目标与毕业要求对应关系、解决复杂工程问题能力、教学进度安排等方面,对设计模式课程开展了教学研究,并将该教学方案应用于本科教学。     

21世纪控制论的发展态势: 纪念控制论创立70周年(1948–2018)(评论)

论文认同控制论应定位为技术科学.它的核心部分(基本原理或核心理念)和它的各分支是一个整体.并认为控制论的发展必定是波浪式.据此才能对控制论现今发展态势作出正确的估计和评价.论文汇总核心部分的14个基本原理或核心理念;核心部分和分支相辅相成地发展.在两者发展的基础上,控制论定义会再更新.最后论文列举出控制论各分支的研究热点.     

Tensor networks for MIMO LPV system identification

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we present a novel multiple input multiple output (MIMO) linear parameter varying (LPV) state-space refinement system identification algorithm that uses tensor networks. Its novelty mainly lies in representing the LPV sub-Markov parameters, data and state-revealing matrix condensely and in exact manner using specific tensor networks. These representations circumvent the ‘curse-of-dimensionality’ as they inherit the properties of tensor trains. The proposed algorithm is ‘curse-of-dimensionality’-free in memory and computation and has conditioning guarantees. Its performance is illustrated using simulation cases and additionally compared with existing methods.     

Comments on ‘How Would You Know If You Synthesized A Thinking Thing’

In their Minds and Machines essay How would you know if you synthesized a Thinking Thing? (Kary &; Mahner, Minds and Machines, 12(1), 61–86, 2002), Kary and Mahner have chosen to occupy a high ground of materialism and empiricism from which to attack the philosophical and methodological positions of believers in artificial intelligence (AI) and artificial life (AL). In this review I discuss some of their main arguments as well as their philosophical foundations. Their central argument: ‘AI is Platonism’, which is based on a particular interpretation of the notion of ‘definition’ and used as a critique against AI, can be counter criticized from two directions: first, Anti-Platonism is not a necessary precondition for criticizing AI, because outspoken Platonist criticism against AI is already known (Penrose, The emperor’s new mind (with a foreword by M. Gardner), 1989). Second, even in case that AI would essentially be ‘Platonism’ this would not be a sufficient argument for proving AI wrong. In my counter criticism I assume a more or less Popperian position by emphasizing the openness of the future: Not by quasi-Scholastic arguments (like Kary and Mahner’s), but only after being confronted with a novel ‘thinking thing’ by future AI engineers we can start to analyze its particular properties (Let me use a history analogon to illustrate my position: In the 19th century, mechanized aviation was widely regarded impossible—only natural organisms (such as birds or bees) could fly, and any science of aerodynamics or aviation did not exist. Only after some non-scientific technicians had confronted their astonished fellows with the first (obviously) flying machine the science of ‘Artificial Aviation’ came into existence, motivated by the need for understanding and mastering that challenging and puzzling new phenomenon).     

Engineering aesthetics and aesthetic ergonomics: Theoretical foundations and a dual-process research methodology

Although industrial and product designers are keenly aware of the importance of design aesthetics, they make aesthetic design decisions largely on the basis of their intuitive judgments and ‘educated guesses’. Whilst ergonomics and human factors researchers have made great contributions to the safety, productivity, ease-of-use, and comfort of human-machine-environment systems, aesthetics is largely ignored as a topic of systematic scientific research in human factors and ergonomics. This article discusses the need for incorporating the aesthetics dimension in ergonomics and proposes the establishment of a new scientific and engineering discipline that we can call ‘engineering aesthetics’. This discipline addresses two major questions: How do we use engineering and scientific methods to study aesthetics concepts in general and design aesthetics in particular? How do we incorporate engineering and scientific methods in the aesthetic design and evaluation process? This article identifies two special features that distinguish aesthetic appraisal of products and system designs from aesthetic appreciation of art, and lays out a theoretical foundation as well as a dual-process research methodology for ‘engineering aesthetics’. Sample applications of this methodology are also described.     

缸内流体有限元预处理平台的输入模块设计

在气缸内流体有限元前处理平台中，input文件有四大模块：几何建模、工程分析条件确定、输出请求、自我管理。该文总结了input文件设计思路和方法。掌握其脉络对大型工程分析软件的设计和应用具有重要意义。     

Can Thomas Kuhn's paradigms help us understand software engineering?

Recent articles in EJIS have discussed whether or not Information Systems is a ‘discipline’. In The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Kuhn states that a scientific discipline can be identified by reference to its underlying belief system, the ‘paradigm’ or ‘disciplinary matrix’, to which all workers in that field must commit. An important element of Kuhn's model is the notion of ‘scientific communities’. We consider here the belief system underlying Software Engineering (SE). We examine the extent to which a belief system analogous to the disciplinary matrix of a Kuhnian science can be identified in SE. Our preliminary fieldwork has comprised an examination of books used by SE students and practitioners, and in-depth interviews with a number of practitioners. The results of this study suggest that the current status of the theory of SE parallels Kuhn's ‘pre-paradigm’ stage of scientific development. At this early stage, theorists and practitioners are divided into schools. These schools are based on differences in the beliefs and models forming their disciplinary matrices. We conclude that the application by analogy of Kuhn's view of scientific activity to SE is justifiable. Our findings can assist both SE theorists and practitioners in improving the understanding of how and why software development projects succeed or fail. Our findings also provide a framework within which to place the beliefs, models and values which underlie SE. Such a framework can contribute to the discussion as to whether the software development-related aspects of Information Systems can be considered to be a discipline, and if so how that discipline is structured.     

Discrete‐time low‐gain control of linear systems with input/output nonlinearities

Discrete‐time low‐gain control strategies are presented for tracking of constant reference signals for finite‐dimensional, discrete‐time, power‐stable, single‐input, single‐output, linear systems subject to a globally Lipschitz, non‐decreasing input nonlinearity and a locally Lipschitz, non‐decreasing, affinely sector‐bounded output nonlinearity (the conditions on the output nonlinearities may be relaxed if the input nonlinearity is bounded). Both non‐adaptive and adaptive gain sequences are considered. In particular, it is shown that applying error feedback using a discrete‐time ‘integral’ controller ensures asymptotic tracking of constant reference signals, provided that (a) the steady‐state gain of the linear part of the plant is positive, (b) the positive gain sequence is ultimately sufficiently small and (c) the reference value is feasible in a very natural sense. The classes of input and output nonlinearities under consideration contain standard nonlinearities important in control engineering such as saturation and deadzone. The discrete‐time results are applied in the development of sampled‐data low‐gain control strategies for finite‐dimensional, continuous‐ time, exponentially stable, linear systems with input and output nonlinearities. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.