Nonparametric approach for uncertainty-based multidisciplinary design optimization considering limited data

Uncertainty-based multidisciplinary design optimization (UMDO) has been widely acknowledged as an advanced methodology to address competing objectives and reliable constraints of complex systems by coupling relationship of disciplines involved in the system. UMDO process consists of three parts. Two parts are to define the system with uncertainty and to formulate the design optimization problem. The third part is to quantitatively analyze the uncertainty of the system output considering the uncertainty propagation in the multidiscipline analysis. One of the major issues in the UMDO research is that the uncertainty propagation makes uncertainty analysis difficult in the complex system. The conventional methods are based on the parametric approach could possibly cause the error when the parametric approach has ill-estimated distribution because data is often insufficient or limited. Therefore, it is required to develop a nonparametric approach to directly use data. In this work, the nonparametric approach for uncertainty-based multidisciplinary design optimization considering limited data is proposed. To handle limited data, three processes are also adopted. To verify the performance of the proposed method, mathematical and engineering examples are illustrated.     

A disturbance observer based practical coordinated tracking controller for uncertain heterogeneous multi‐agent systems

This paper presents a coordinated tracking controller for multi‐agent systems. We assume that agents are uncertain, nonidentical, and affected by external disturbances. The information available to the tracking controller is a weighted sum of relative measurements. A coordinated tracking controller based on the disturbance observer, which is known as a robust output feedback controller, is designed so that the disturbances acting on agents are attenuated and at the same time the weighted sum of relative measurements approximately satisfies a differential equation defined by the leader's dynamics, which results in practical coordinated tracking. Systematic design procedures of the controller as well as numerical simulations are provided. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantification model of proper curvature for large‐sized curved TVs

We present a feasible modeling method to estimate the proper curvature for large‐sized curved TVs. We especially focused on two factors – preference and perceived distortion – to be considered to determine the proper curvature. The preference includes a number of advantages that people expect to fulfill the possibilities of a more immersive image and sense of realism from curved display. On the other hand, the perceived distortion means the side effects that people can notice uncomfortable feeling caused by the shape of a curved one. In order to find out how two factors would be different as a number of conditions like curvature, size, and viewing angle change, a series of subjective assessments were conducted. The evaluation results show that both the preference and perceived distortion vary with the conditions considerably. We performed the statistical analysis based on the results and proposed the quantification model of proper curvature, which has higher preference and less perceived distortion, for various‐sized curved TVs.     

Developing and Verifying a Questionnaire for Evaluating User Value of a Mobile Device

User experience has become a major issue lately with user value as one of its key elements. This study proposes a method to evaluate user value using a questionnaire specialized for a mobile device such as smartphones. The questionnaire was developed considering elements of user value, product features, and context of use. Then, a case study with hundreds of participants was conducted via the Internet to verify and screen out questionnaire items in terms of reliability and validity. Finally, a total of 16 questionnaire items were selected for evaluating elements of user value, consisting of self‐satisfaction, pleasure, sociability, customer need, and attachment. The results of this study are expected to help understand potential users and select design alternatives.     

Toward Universal Design in Public Transportation Systems: An Analysis of Low‐Floor Bus Passenger Behavior with Video Observations

This study aims to investigate the relationship between ergonomic comfort and the provision of accessibility features for mobility‐impaired persons in the use of public transportation systems in Korea. To deal with mobility issues in a public transportation environment, we chose the low‐floor bus as our research subject because it is the representative of a barrier‐free design solution. We collected data via video observation, which can overcome the limitations of traditional accessibility‐focused studies and laboratory studies by providing data on real usage patterns. We developed a framework to analyze the gathered data which includes user, space, tools, activities, and context. As a result, we observed existing difficulties of mobility‐impaired persons in terms of moving and supporting their bodies on the bus, despite the application of accessibility features. Furthermore, the design only for accessibility of mobility‐disabled persons can cause unexpected predicaments for the passengers who do not have physical handicaps. Drawing on these findings, we concluded that the concept of universal design in public transportation environments must be introduced in Korea. This study suggests video observation as a useful methodology for collecting data in dynamic environments. Additionally, our study is expected to contribute to how the concept of universal design can be implemented, and stimulate issues for ergonomic research based on our behavior pattern analysis.     

A study on effects of security risks on acceptance of enterprise cloud service: moderating of employment and non-employment using PLS multiple group analysis

This paper analyzed the effects of security risk factors fit for cloud computing paradigm on the acceptance of enterprise cloud service with intent to illuminate the factors for vitalizing the adoption of corporate cloud services in the future. The acceptance intention was set as a dependent variable. Independent variables were set in reference to the technology acceptance theory. Security risks were categorized into compliance risk, information leakage risk, troubleshooting risk and service discontinuation risk to design a model for analysis.     

Cooperative device discovery for multi-interface self-organizing networks

For device-to-device communications, a device must locate neighbor devices on a certain channel within a short period to establish a communication link. When the channel information is not provided, a rendezvous technique can be adapted to resolve the issue of device discovery. Unlike existing approaches that have considered the rendezvous problem for a flat network and a single interface, the proposed approach considers a hierarchical network where nodes have different ranks and multiple interfaces. We extend the jump-and-stay rendezvous algorithm for multiple interfaces and divide the interfaces into two types: standby and scan interfaces. Scan interfaces follow the extended pattern of the jump-and-stay algorithm. Standby interfaces remain on a selected channel for a round of slots until rendezvous with other nodes. To determine the interface type of each node, we consider the rank of a node such that a higher-ranked node is assigned more standby interfaces. Based on this framework, we propose a cooperative rendezvous algorithm where a node rebroadcasts the channel information of a higher-ranked node together with its rendezvous message. Our simulation results confirm that the proposed rendezvous algorithm achieves superior performance compared to conventional methods.     

Active steering control strategy for articulated vehicles

To improve maneuverability and stability of articulated vehicles, we design an active steering controller, including tractor and trailer controllers, based on linear quadratic regulator (LQR) theory. First, a three-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) model of the tractor-trailer with steered trailer axles is built. The simulated annealing particle swarm optimization (SAPSO) algorithm is applied to identify the key parameters of the model under specified vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. Thus, the key parameters of the simplified model can be obtained according to the vehicle conditions using an online look-up table and interpolation. Simulation results show that vehicle parameter outputs of the simplified model and TruckSim agree well, thus providing the ideal reference yaw rate for the controller. Then the active steering controller of the tractor and trailer based on LQR is designed to follow the desired yaw rate and minimize their side-slip angle of the center of gravity (CG) at the same time. Finally, simulation tests at both low speed and high speed are conducted based on the TruckSim-Simulink program. The results show significant effects on the active steering controller on improving maneuverability at low speed and lateral stability at high speed for the articulated vehicle. The control strategy is applicable for steering not only along gentle curves but also along sharp curves.     

P2P-based u-health cluster service model for silver generation in PBR platform

As the number of the silver generation increases, u-health service has evolved into more preventive services accessible in any type of service environment based on service platforms from the previous treatment and management-oriented services for specific diseases. U-health service used to solely provide remote diagnosis and counseling or biometrics monitoring, facing limitations in preventing or managing potential chronic disease cases. In this recognition, the research seeks to propose a P2P-based u-health cluster service model for silver generation in PBR(Personal Bio Record) platform. The proposed u-health service herein utilizes PCs and smart phones to provide health, dietary and exercise information regardless of time and space. Based on the PBR platform, the system effectively connects the EMR system and users’ service systems in order to understand service targets’ lifestyle patterns and offer further customized services. This u-health cluster service model is expected to realize useful services to user in a multi-platform environment and contribute to enhanced health status of senior patients with chronic disease.