Showing papers in "IEEE Systems Journal in 2008"

System-of-Systems Engineering Management: A Review of Modern History and a Path Forward

Abstract: As our knowledge of system of systems (SoS) has grown and evolved, so has our understanding of how to engineer and manage them. In systems engineering, we develop architectures and frameworks to bring meaning to this kind of uncertainty, but for SoS engineering (SoSE) we are still in search of how we can structure this understanding. In this paper, we review the SoS literature to illustrate the need to create an SoSE management framework based on the demands of constant technological progress in a complex dynamic environment. We conclude from this review that the history and evolution of defining SoS has shown that: (1) SoS can be defined by distinguishing characteristics and (2) SoS can be viewed as a network where the ldquobest practicesrdquo of network management can be applied to SoSE. We use these two theories as a foundation for our objective to create an effective SoSE management framework. To accomplish this, we utilize modified fault, configuration, accounting, performance, and security (FCAPS) network principles (SoSE management conceptual areas). Furthermore, cited distinguishing characteristics of SoS are also used to present a SoSE management framework. We conclude with a case analysis of this framework using a known and well-documented SoS (i.e., Integrated Deepwater System) to illustrate how to better understand, engineer, and manage within the domain of SoSE.

Time-Frequency Excision for GNSS Applications

Abstract: Interference detection and mitigation in global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) are important issues for both military and civilian applications. In this paper, a novel time-frequency algorithm for GNSS application is proposed. The use of infinite impulse-response notch filters for the interference excision is introduced and analytical formulas for the detection of the disturbing signals are derived. The proposed method is tested by simulations and compared with time-frequency excision algorithms reported in literature, proving its effectiveness for interference removal.

A System-of-Systems Engineering GEOSS: Architectural Approach

Abstract: There is an increasing need to perform systems-of-systems engineering (SoSE) in a global environment. A new SoSE process has been developed which is a significant breakthrough in the development of large complex systems and net-centric systems-of-systems (SoS). The SoSE process provides a complete, detailed, and systematic development approach for military and civil SoS. This architecture-centric, model-based systems engineering process emphasizes concurrent development of the system architecture model and system specifications. It is applicable to all phases of a system's lifecycle. The significant benefits of developing a system architecture model for GEOSS using the SoSE process are described. An example of how the process would capture the architecture model of GEOSS is presented.

Web Enabled Wireless Sensor Networks for Facilities Management

Abstract: The cornerstone of building and overall facilities management is accurate and up-to-date monitoring of the context of the enterprise building environment and its surroundings, usually performed by sensors dispersed throughout the premises. Currently, the majority of building management systems is tightly coupled with the sensors that they utilize, restricting their extensibility. The emergence of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) has brought significant benefits as far as monitoring is concerned, since they are more cost-efficient, due to the lack of wiring installations, compared to wired sensor solutions and allow for flexible positioning of the sensors, especially when building retrofitting is concerned. In line with the established move towards integration of enterprise level services, it is beneficial to consider the WSNs within that scope. In this paper, we propose to exploit a service oriented architecture for developing an enterprise networking environment that is used for integrating facilities management applications and building management systems with other operational enterprise functions for the purpose of information sharing and monitoring, controlling, and managing the enterprise environment. The WSN is viewed as an information service provider not only to building management systems but also to wider applications in the enterprise infrastructure. We provide specification and implementation details of the proposed architecture and discuss evaluation planning.

Sustainability Assessment of Nations and Related Decision Making Using Fuzzy Logic

Abstract: This paper refines and extends in fundamental ways an existing model for the numerical assessment of sustainability called sustainability assessment by fuzzy evaluation (SAFE) SAFE, in its basic form, uses fuzzy logic to combine a large suite of basic indicators and then computes numerical values of sustainability for a number of composite indicators such as air, land, economy, health, etc At a higher hierarchy it computes the sustainability of an ecological and a human component, and finally, it computes overall sustainability of a country or region As state-of-the-art in fuzzy analysis has advanced, we are prompted to modify SAFE accordingly The refined model uses the so-called Takagi-Sugeno-Kang inference scheme (TSK) which together with a few technical requirements guarantees monotonicity, ie, an improvement of a basic indicator leads to an improvement of sustainability Another refinement concerns the data inputs To include the effects of past environmental pressures and development policies on the present state of sustainability, we use exponential smoothing to take account of the past with exponentially decaying weights Finally, the model is now applied to all countries of the world for which data could be obtained and their corresponding sustainabilities are computed Also, through sensitivity analysis, the most important indicators that affect sustainability are identified

Surface Mooring Network in the Kuroshio Extension

Abstract: As a contribution to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is developing surface moorings that carry a suite of field-proven and cost-effective sensors to monitor air-sea heat, moisture, and momentum fluxes, carbon dioxide uptake, and upper ocean temperature, salinity, and currents. In June 2004, an NOAA surface mooring, referred to as the Kuroshio Extension Observatory (KEO), was deployed in the Kuroshio Extension's (KE) southern recirculation gyre, approximately 300 nautical miles east of Japan. In 2006, a partnership between NOAA and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology was formed that deployed a second mooring (referred to as JKEO) north of the KE jet in February 2007. KE is a region of strong currents, typhoons, and winter storms. Designing and maintaining moorings in the KE is a challenging engineering task. All data are publicly available. A subset of the data are telemetered and made available in near real time through the Global Telecommunications System and web-based data distribution systems. Data from these time-series reference sites serve a wide research and operational community and are being used for assessing numerical weather prediction analyses and reanalyses and for quantifying the air-sea interaction in this dynamic region.

A Simple and Accurate Model for RFID Rectifier

Abstract: In this paper, a simple model for the UHF low power rectifier circuit is proposed. Using a novel approach to model the rectifier current waveform, simple analytical equations are derived. The output DC voltage and the efficiency of the rectifier are derived analytically. Simulation results of the rectifier using actual models are very close to those predicted by the proposed model. The derived formulas for the output DC voltage and the efficiency are simple and physically meaningful and can be used to optimize the performance of the rectifier.

Correcting Sensor Drift and Intermittency Faults With Data Fusion and Automated Learning

Abstract: Many fault detection algorithms deal with fault signatures that manifest themselves as step changes While detection of these step changes can be difficult due to noise and other complicating factors, detecting slowly developing faults is usually even more complicated Tradeoffs between early detection and false positive avoidance are more difficult to establish Often times, slow drift faults go completely undetected because the monitoring systems assume that they are ordinary system changes and some monitoring schemes may adapt to the changes Where redundant sensors are used, a drifting sensor may cause the logic to latch on to the ldquobadrdquo sensor Another problem may be intermittent sensors faults where the detection logic is too sluggish to recognize a problem before the sensor has returned to seemingly normal behavior To address these classes of problems, we introduce here a set of algorithms that learns to avoid the bad sensor, thus indirectly recognizing the aberrant sensor We combine advanced sensor validation techniques with learning The sensor validation is inspired by fuzzy principles The parameters of this algorithm are learned using competing optimization approaches We compare the results from a particle swarm optimization approach with those obtained from genetic algorithms Results are shown for an application in the transportation industry

Efficient Satellite-Based Sensor Networks for Information Retrieval

Abstract: This paper considers a packet-based telecommunication network architecture suited to be used as an Environmental Monitoring System (EMS) over wide areas. It can be employed to retrieve the measures of physical quantities, such as temperature, humidity, and vibrations intensity (physical information) together with the geographical position where the measures are taken (position information). The telecommunication network supporting the EMS is composed of: a network of sensors, a group of earth stations called Sinks, a satellite backbone, and a destination. Each sensor collects physical and position information, encapsulates it into packets and conveys it towards the sinks which give access to the satellite backbone that connects the sinks to the destination. A single sensor transmits the information to all sinks but only one sink transmits it over the satellite channel. Even if the redundant transmission of the same data from more than one sink would increase the safety of the system, it would increase also the costs of it. The selection of the sink which forwards the information of a sensor to the destination is important to increase the performance of the EMS. This paper introduces specific performance metrics to evaluate the functionality of the whole EMS in terms of reliability, reactivity, and spent energy. The reference metrics are packet loss rate, average packet delay, and energy consumption. Then the paper presents an algorithm to select the transmitting sink for each sensor, which is aimed at maximizing the performance in terms of the mentioned metrics. The algorithm is tested through simulation.

Disturbance Observer-Based Robust Control of Free-Floating Space Manipulators

Abstract: A disturbance observer-based control scheme is proposed for free-floating space manipulator with nonlinear dynamics derived using the virtual manipulator approach. The derived dynamic equation uses only link angles as generalized coordinates, which is suitable for the controller design in joint space. Since joint coupling, model uncertainties in robot dynamics are treated as lumped disturbances, a disturbance observer is developed at each joint of degree-of-freedom space manipulator to decouple and simplify the controller design. Simulation results of a six-link space manipulator show that the proposed scheme achieves superior performance, especially when large external disturbances are present.

Experimental Missions in W -Band: A Small LEO Satellite Approach

Abstract: W-band (75-110 GHz) is proposed nowadays as a valuable alternative to intensively-exploited Ku- and Ka-bands for high-speed transmission over satellite networks. In such a framework, some experiments are being carried out, which are targeted to verify the feasibility of exploitation of W-band for broadband service deployment. From a theoretical viewpoint, the large bandwidth availability and the scarce amount of interference typical of W-band should guarantee high capacities. Nevertheless, many crucial aspects are still to be carefully investigated, e.g., signal propagation issues, RF impairments, choice of modulation and coding, efficient antenna design, etc. In this paper, an overview is made on the low Earth orbit (LEO) nano-satellite mission in-orbit key-test and validation of W-band (IKNOW). IKNOW mission is an ongoing advanced feasibility study part of an Italian Space Agency Project, named W-band analysis and verification (WAVE), coordinated by the Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome ldquoTor Vergatardquo. The main objective of the IKNOW mission is to tackle some of the unexplored critical aspects concerning W-band satellite transmission. In such a perspective, IKNOW should be regarded as a ldquopilot mission,rdquo whose results will be used for a first uplink-downlink satellite channel characterization, in-orbit validation of W-band technology, and space qualification processes. This paper is focused on the research work carried out in a preliminary phase of the IKNOW study and will also consider a number of elements related to the mission configuration, payload architecture, link analysis, potential RF impairment factors, and atmospheric effects. Proposed analysis and preliminary results shown can provide to interested readers the basic guidelines that will drive the practical implementation of IKNOW mission, as well as the most relevant issues to be faced by future developers of W-band missions using small LEO satellites.

A Conceptual Framework for Assessing the Benefits of a Global Earth Observation System of Systems

Abstract: The aim of the Global Earth Observation System-of-Systems (GEOSS) is to improve the information available to decision makers, at all levels, relating to human health and safety, protection of the global environment, the reduction of losses from natural disasters, and achieving sustainable development. Specifically, GEOSS proposes that better international cooperation in the collection, interpretation, and sharing of Earth observation information is an important and cost-effective mechanism for achieving this aim. While there is a widespread intuition that this proposition is correct, at some point the following question needs to be answered: how much additional investment in Earth observation (and specifically, in its international integration) is enough? This leads directly to some challenging subsidiary questions, such as how can the benefits of Earth observation be assessed? What are the incremental costs of GEOSS? Are there societal benefit areas where the return on investment is higher than in others? The Geo-Bene Project has developed a ldquobenefit chainrdquo concept as a framework for addressing these questions. The basic idea is that an incremental improvement in the observing system (including its data collection, interpretation and information-sharing aspects) will result in an improvement in the quality of decisions based on that information. In turn, this will lead to better societal outcomes, which have a value. This incremental value must be judged against the incremental cost of the improved observation system. Since in many cases there will be large uncertainties in the estimation of both the costs and the benefits, and it may not be possible to express them in comparable monetary terms, we show how order-of-magnitude approaches and a qualitative understanding of the shape of the cost and benefit curves can help guide rational investment decisions in Earth Observation Systems.

Exploring the Impact of Systems Architecture and Systems Requirements on Systems Integration Complexity

Abstract: The need to perform faster systems integration of complex systems require the architect and design team to understand how the selected architecture and design components will impact the systems integration processes complexity (or difficulty). Systems integration process complexity is an outcome of the interaction between degree of feasibility and level of effort required to understand, describe, implement, manage, and document the systems integration process for a given system development and operational environment. This paper analyzes the cause-and-effect relationships between the system requirements, architecture and the systems integration processes complexity. In order to address systems integration issues upfront in the design phase it is necessary to determine if the architecture and design of components, subsystems, processes, and interfaces impacts (and to what extent) systems integration process complexity. This paper also defines and analyzes the impact of the different system architecture and requirements factors on systems integration process complexity. A research framework is developed to understand the cause-and-effect relationships between system requirements, architecture, and integration process. Finally, the paper proposes recommendations based on the causality results. These conclusions are based on research undertaken by the authors on eight development projects in the government sector.

Design Principles and IT Overviews of the GEO Grid

Abstract: As the Earth's ecosystem is a spatially and temporally complex system by nature, it is not sufficient to observe such events and phenomena locally; problems must be solved on a global scale. Therefore, the accumulation of knowledge about the Earth in various forms and a scientifically correct understanding of the Earth are necessary. The authors have been leading the ldquoGlobal Earth Observation (GEO) Gridrdquo project since 2005, which is primarily aimed at providing an e-Science infrastructure for the worldwide Earth sciences community. In the community, there are wide varieties of existing datasets including satellite imagery, geological data, and ground sensed data that each data owner insists own licensing policy. Also, there are so many related projects that will be configured as a virtual organization (VO) enabled by Grid technology. The GEO Grid is designed to integrate all of the relevant data virtually, again enabled by Grid technology, and is accessible as a set of services. In this paper, first we describe design principles of the GEO Grid that are determined based on accommodating users requirements for publishing, managing, and using data. Second, software architecture and its preliminary implementations are specified where we take the Grid computing and Web service technologies as the core components that comply with a standard set of technologies and protocols. In addition, GEO Grid has been recognized to contribute to GEO or Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) as a part of the Japanese government's commitment.

Land-Cover Observations as Part of a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS): Progress, Activities, and Prospects

Abstract: The international land-cover community has been working with GEO since 2005 to build the foundations for land-cover observations as an integral part of a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) The Group on Earth Observation (GEO) has provided the platform to elevate the societal relevance of land cover monitoring and helped to link a diverse set of global, regional, and national activities A dedicated 2007-2009 GEO work plan task has resulted in achievements on the strategic and implementation levels Integrated Global Observations of the Land (IGOL), the land theme of the Integrated Global Observation Strategy (IGOS), has been approved and is now in the process of transition into GEO implementation New global land-cover maps at moderate spatial resolutions (ie, GLOBCOVER) are being produced using guidelines and standards of the international community The Middecadal Global Landsat Survey for 2005-2006 is extending previous 1990 and 2000 efforts for global, high-quality Landsat data Despite this progress, essential challenges for building a sustained global land-cover-observing system remain, including: international cooperation on the continuity of global observations; ensuring consistency in land monitoring approaches; community engagement and country participation in mapping activities; commitment to ongoing quality assurance and validation; and regional networking and capacity building

Performance Evaluation of a Precorrelation Interference Detection Algorithm for the GNSS Based on Nonparametrical Spectral Estimation

Abstract: This paper deals with a signal processing precorrelation method to detect the presence of interference at a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver site. In particular, a nonparametric spectral estimation approach based on the Welch windowed periodogram will be considered here. The performance of the proposed detector, in terms of detection probability, for a given false-alarm probability value, will be derived by means of an analytical approach and resorting to computer simulations. A performance comparison with previously proposed precorrelation methods will also be presented in order to highlight the better behavior of the proposed approach that makes it suitable for safety of life (SoL) applications.

A Visual Tradeoff Space for Formal Verification and Validation Techniques

Abstract: Numerous techniques exist for conducting computer-assisted formal verification and validation. The cost associated with these techniques varies, depending on factors such as ease of use, the effort required to construct correct requirement specifications for complex real-world properties, and the effort associated with instrumentation of the software under test. Likewise, existing techniques differ in their ability to effectively cover the system under test and its associated requirements. To aid software engineers in selecting the appropriate technique for the formal verification or validation task at hand, we introduce a three-dimensional tradeoff space encompassing both cost and coverage.

Penalty for Fuel Economy— System Level Perspectives on the Reliability of Hybrid Electric Vehicles During Normal and Graceful Degradation Operation

Abstract: Generally people tend to think only in terms of fuel economy and additional cost premium on vehicle price while discussing about hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). This paper tries to emphasize that the overall acceptability of a vehicle also has to do with its system level reliability. It discusses the issue of system level reliability in hybrid electric vehicles from a quantitative point of view. It also introduces a quantitative meaning to the concept of graceful degradation and mode of operation under graceful degradation condition. All these are discussed in stages, starting from a regular internal combustion engine based vehicle, and later transition of those to hybrid electric vehicles. This paper intends to drive the point that in HEV, one of the penalties for fuel economy that has to be paid comes in terms of reliability.

GEOSS Architecture Principles and the GEOSS Clearinghouse

Abstract: The global earth observation system of systems (GEOSS) is composed of diverse component systems contributed by members and participating organizations of the group on earth observations (GEO). To enable these diverse components to interoperate, the GEOSS architecture embodies principles given in the GEOSS 10-year implementation plan and reference document. A basic principle is adoption of international standards and common interoperability arrangements, as seen in the contributed facility known as GEOSS Clearinghouse. GEOSS Clearinghouse acts as a cross-cutting discovery tool, encompassing all registered GEOSS components and external catalogs as well. Together, the GEOSS architecture and GEOSS clearinghouse enable GEO members and participating organizations to cooperate in realizing GEOSS. The resulting system of systems is simplifying access to resources for any and all users, including decision makers across the GEO societal benefit areas. This paper explains key GEOSS architecture principles and how GEOSS clearinghouse applies international standards and interoperability arrangements.

Services: A System's Perspective

Abstract: A system's perspective of services is contained herein. Analogous to manufacturing, services can and should also be viewed from a system's perspective. While the interdependences, similarities, and complementarities of manufacturing and services are significant, there are considerable differences between goods and services, including the shift in focus from mass production to mass customization (whereby a service is produced and delivered in response to a customer's stated or imputed needs). In general, a service system can be considered to be a combination or recombination of three essential components-people (characterized by behaviors, attitudes, values, etc.), processes (characterized by collaboration, customization, etc.), and products (characterized by software, hardware, infrastructures, etc.). Furthermore, inasmuch as a service system is an integrated system, it is, in essence, a system-of-systems (SoS) which objectives are to enhance its efficiency (leading to greater interdependency), effectiveness (leading to greater usefulness), and adaptiveness (leading to greater responsiveness). The integrative methods include a component's design, interface, and interdependency; a decision's strategic, tactical, and operational orientation; and an organization's data, modeling, and cybernetic consideration. A number of insights are also provided, including an alternative SoS view of services; the increasing complexity of systems (especially service systems), with all the attendant life-cycle design, human interface, and system integration issues; the increasing need for real-time, adaptive decision making within such an SoS; and the fact that modern systems are also becoming increasingly more human-centered, if not human-focused-thus, products and services are becoming more complex and more personalized or customized.

A Systems Approach to Corporate Sustainability in Energy Management of Industrial Units

Abstract: This paper presents a ldquoproof of conceptrdquo system methodology for the energy management of industrial units examining them as socio-technical systems. The cybernetic viable system model (VSM) of Beer is used to consider an industrial unit as a viable organization and through this consideration to diagnose the technical and managerial gaps identifying the Best Interventions Plan according to principles of sustainability. Based on a case study concerning a Fertilizers Production Plant, a framework is developed that could be extensively used for energy management of industrial units. The systems approach of this framework emerges as a unique available tool to implement the principles of sustainability in industrial energy management.

Development of an Intelligent Diagnostic System for Induction Machine Health Monitoring

Abstract: In this paper, the development of an intelligent diagnostic system for induction machine health monitoring has been presented. The idea behind the artificial neural network and its application for machine diagnostic is described briefly. The general condition of intelligent system design based on neural network is discussed. The results of using developed intelligent algorithm for efficient and accurate identification of machine health are demonstrated. C and Matlab programs have been used for the development of the intelligent algorithm (multi-layer feed-forward neural network with back propagation algorithm) for machine diagnostic and monitoring.

Bandwidth-Effective Design of a Satellite-Based Hybrid Wireless Sensor Network for Mobile Target Detection and Tracking

Abstract: Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have the potential to assist advanced target tracking applications. The major challenge related to the design of such networks is to cope with the energy and computational limitations that characterize sensor nodes. To address this problem, we propose a hybrid architecture that integrates two sensor categories. The first performs basic detection and tracking functions while the second supports complex tasks such as imaging and broadband communication via a satellite network. Moreover, we develop a technique that allows vision sensors adapting the rate of the exchanged data according to the target activity in the monitored zone. Finally, a tracking approach taking into consideration the error on local sensor position measurements is presented.

Node Stability-Based Location Updating in Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

Abstract: In this paper, we consider the problem of location updating in mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) We propose a node stability-based location updating approach In order to optimize the routing, most of the existing routing algorithms use some mechanism for determining a node's neighbors This information is stored in a table called the neighbor table The updating of the neighbor table is referred to as location updating To evaluate our proposed algorithm, we simulated it and compared its performance with that of the performance of the conventional location updating algorithm, by considering different performance measures such as the number of collisions on the carrier, the number of acknowledgments received and the energy consumed In our work, we obtained different types of results by varying different parameters such as the number of nodes and the terrain dimensions The simulation results obtained show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the typical location updating algorithm used in existing routing protocols

Deadlock Avoidance Controller Design for Timed Petri Nets Using Stretching

Abstract: The recently introduced method, which was called ldquostretching,rdquo is extended to timed Petri nets which may have both controllable and uncontrollable transitions. Using this method, a new Petri net, called ldquostretched Petri net,rdquo which has only unit firing durations, is obtained to represent a timed-transition Petri net. Using this net, the state of the original timed Petri net can be represented easily. This representation also makes it easy to design a supervisory controller for a timed Petri net for any purpose. In this paper, supervisory controller design to avoid deadlock is considered in particular. Using this method, a controller is first designed for the stretched Petri net. Then, using this controller, a controller for the original timed Petri net is obtained. Algorithms to construct the reachability sets of the stretched and original timed Petri nets, as well as algorithms to obtain the controller for the original timed Petri net are presented. These algorithms are implemented using Matlab. Examples are also presented to illustrate the introduced approach.

Valuing Weather Observation Systems For Forest Fire Management

Abstract: Weather information is an integral part of modern fire management systems. In this paper, we investigate, by means of simulation studies, how improvements in the weather observation systems help to reduce burned area by targeting and monitoring places ripe fires are likely to occur. In our model, the air patrolling schedule is determined by the Nesterov index, which is calculated from observed weather data. We use two weather data sets based on ldquoroughrdquo and ldquofinerdquo grids. The reduction of the total burned area, associated with an air patrolling schedule based on the ldquofinerdquo grid, indicates the benefits of using better weather observations. We, also, consider a stochastic model to simulate forest fires and explore the sensitivity of the model with respect to the quality of input data. Finally, we investigate the system of systems effect. We find the largest marginal improvement from the rough grid results when we increase the quality of observations in most critical areas.

An Information Semantics Approach for Knowledge Management and Interoperability for the Global Earth Observation System of Systems

Abstract: The global earth observation system of systems (GEOSS) is built on current international cooperation efforts among existing distributed earth observing and processing systems. The goal is to formulate an end-to-end process that enables the collection and distribution of accurate, reliable earth observation (EO) data, information, products, and services to both suppliers and consumers worldwide. EOs are obtained from a multitude of sources and require tremendous efforts and coordination among different governments and user groups to come to a shared understanding on a set of concepts involved in a domain. Semantic metadata play a crucial role in resolving the differences in meaning, interpretation, and usage of the same or related data. Also, the knowledge about the geopolitical background of the originating datasets could be encoded in the metadata that would address the diversity on a global scale. In distributed environments like GEOSS, modularization is inevitable. In this paper, we describe the need for an information semantics-based approach for knowledge management and interoperability between heterogeneous GEOSS systems. Further, considering the magnitude of concepts involved in GEOSS, we explore the possibility of using modular ontologies for formulating smaller interconnected ontologies.

Challenges for RFID Cross-Industry Standardization in the Light of Diverging Industry Requirements

Abstract: As in the case of the barcode, worldwide and cross-industry standardization is key for a successful radio frequency identification (RFID) adoption and, therefore, crucial for its widespread use. EPCglobal, an international and cross-industry standard-setting body for RFID technology, intends to take different and partially conflicting industry requirements into account. We illustrate an area of conflict resulting from diverging requirements of four major industries regarding RFID technology. We propose that the early considerations of user requirements, communication, as well as cooperative development are crucial for the success or failure of cross-industry standardization. We deduce managerial implications from our considerations both for the adopter side and the standard-setting side.

The International Federation of Digital Seismograph Networks (FDSN): An Integrated System of Seismological Observatories

Abstract: The International Federation of Digital Seismographic Networks (FDSN) is a non-governmental organization formed by institutions dedicated to seismological research and seismic monitoring. The FDSN is a successful complement to the International Seismological Centre (ISC) in pursuing a more than a century old tradition of global seismic data exchange. The main goal of the FDSN is the production and dissemination of seismic waveform data from high fidelity seismic observatories. The federation is formed by 65 organizations from 52 countries that contribute data to three main data centers in the United States, Europe, and Japan. A subset of the stations that conform the FDSN send real-time to the data management center (DMC) of the Incorporated Research Institutions of Seismology (IRIS) in the United States. Data from this real-time network is crucial to the determination of the seismic parameters of large earthquakes in a very short time after their occurrence and to support the efforts of institutions that are responsible for disaster relief or prevention. Most notably, tsunami warning centers use this information as a fundamental underpinning to issue warnings and alerts. The FDSN is an early participant of the global earth observation system of systems (GEOSS), contributing high-quality, timely and freely accessible seismic data. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the FDSN from the viewpoint of an integrated system of observatories and to share with other GEOSS networks the successes, challenges and lessons learned by the FDSN in promoting the open and free access of seismological data for the benefit of scientific research and disaster prevention and mitigation.

A Visualization Framework for Real Time Decision Making in a Multi-Input Multi-Output System

Abstract: Human beings have the capacity to make quick and accurate decisions when multiple objectives are involved provided they have access to all the relevant information. Accurate visual measures/decision surfaces (maps) are critical to the effectiveness of this process. This paper introduces a methodology that allows one to create a visual decision making interface for any multi-input multi-output (MIMO) system. In this case, the MIMO is thought of in the broadest sense to include battlefield operations, complex system design, and human support systems (rehabilitation). Our methodology starts with a Bayesian causal network approach to modeling the MIMO system. Various decision making scenarios in a typical MIMO system are presented. This is then followed by a description of the framework that allows for the presentation of the relevant scenario dependent data to the human decision maker (HDM). This presentation is in the form of 3-D surface plots called decision surfaces. Additional decision making tools (norms) are then presented. These norms allow for single value numbers to be presented along with the decision surfaces to better aid the HDM. We then present some applications of the framework to representative MIMO systems. This methodology easily adapts to systems that grow bigger and also when two or more systems are combined to form a larger system.