Cyber-physical system

About: Cyber-physical system is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 11096 publications have been published within this topic receiving 162489 citations. The topic is also known as: CPS.

Sensory Channel Threats to Cyber Physical Systems: A Wake-up Call

Abstract: Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) is a relatively novel computing paradigm where there is a tight integration of communications, computation, and the physical environment. An important component of the CPS devices is the sensors they use to interact with each other and the physical world around them. With CPS applications, engineers monitor the structural health of highways and bridges, farmers check the health of their crops, and ecologists observe wildlife in their natural habitat. Nonetheless, current security models consider protecting only networking components of the CPS devices utilizing traditional security mechanisms (e.g., an intrusion detection system for the data that traverse the network protocol stacks). The protection mechanisms are not sufficient to protect CPS devices from threats emanating from sensory channels. Using sensory channels (e.g., light, temperature, infrared), an adversary can successfully attack systems. Specifically, the adversary can (1) trigger existing malware, (2) transfer malware, or (3) combine malicious use of different sensory channels to increase the impact of the attack on CPS devices. In this work, we focus on these novel sensory channel threats to CPS devices and applications. We first note how sensory channel threats are an emerging area for the CPS world. Then, we analyze the performance various sensory channel threats. Moreover, using an iRobot Create as our CPS platform, we exploit simple vulnerable programs on iRobot through its infrared channel. Finally, we introduce the design of a novel sensory channel aware intrusion detection system as a protection mechanism against the sensory channel threats for CPS devices.

Monitor Based Oracles for Cyber-Physical System Testing: Practical Experience Report

Abstract: Testing Cyber-Physical Systems is becoming increasingly challenging as they incorporate advanced autonomy features. We investigate using an external runtime monitor as a partial test oracle to detect violations of critical system behavioral requirements on an automotive development platform. Despite limited source code access and using only existing network messages, we were able to monitor a hardware-in-the-loop vehicle simulator and analyze prototype vehicle log data to detect violations of high-level critical properties. Interface robustness testing was useful to further exercise the monitors. Beyond demonstrating feasibility, the experience emphasized a number of remaining research challenges, including: approximating system intent based on limited system state observability, how to best balance the simplicity and expressiveness of the specification language used to define monitored properties, how to warm up monitoring of system variable state after mode change discontinuities, and managing the differences between simulation and real vehicles when conducting such tests.

Distributed energy resources management with cyber-physical SCADA in the context of future smart grids

Abstract: In the energy management of a small power system, the scheduling of the generation units is a crucial problem for which adequate methodologies can maximize the performance of the energy supply. This paper proposes an innovative methodology for distributed energy resources management. The optimal operation of distributed generation, demand response and storage resources is formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming model (MILP) and solved by a deterministic optimization technique CPLEX-based implemented in General Algebraic Modeling Systems (GAMS). The paper deals with a vision for the grids of the future, focusing on conceptual and operational aspects of electrical grids characterized by an intensive penetration of DG, in the scope of competitive environments and using artificial intelligence methodologies to attain the envisaged goals. These concepts are implemented in a computational framework which includes both grid and market simulation.

A Concise Review on Internet of Things (IoT) -Problems, Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract: Internet of things (IoT) is considered to revolutionize the way internet works and bring together the concepts such as machine to machine (M2M) communication, big data, artificial intelligence, etc. to work under a same umbrella such that cyber space and human (physical systems) are more intertwined and thus ubiquitous giving rise to cyber physical systems. This will involve billions of connections and smart products communicating with each other mostly without human intervention to achieve smart objectives. The idea of IoT has enticed significant research attentions since the massive connectivity bring varieties of challenges and obstacles including heterogeneity, scalability, security, big data, energy requirements, etc. The paper looks into providing a concise review of the concepts on IoT and applications describing the main components and features. Furthermore, open issues and challenges that need addressing by the research community and some potential solutions are discussed.