Towards a unified theory of constrained control and estimation. The project will investigate the implications of duality and other connections between constrained control and estimation. We believe that the research will result in a richer understanding of these problems. In particular, we envisage an impact in at least four areas: (i) Computational issues, i.e., development of more efficient algorithms for constrained problems. (ii) Geometry of constrained problems, by extending recent results ....Towards a unified theory of constrained control and estimation. The project will investigate the implications of duality and other connections between constrained control and estimation. We believe that the research will result in a richer understanding of these problems. In particular, we envisage an impact in at least four areas: (i) Computational issues, i.e., development of more efficient algorithms for constrained problems. (ii) Geometry of constrained problems, by extending recent results pertaining to constrained control to estimation problems. (iii) Problems with mixed constraints, for example, interval and finite set constraints. (iv) Fundamental limitations imposed by constraints to filtering and control problems.Read moreRead less
Joint System Identification for Point Processes and Time-series. In various application areas such as neurophysiology, earthquake modeling, price spikes in electricity markets, the data of interest are point processes (aka sequences of events) or combinations of point processes and analog signals. To understand the underlying subject of interest we need to be able to extract the maximum information from these observation sequences. The current tools for doing this are very limited. This resear ....Joint System Identification for Point Processes and Time-series. In various application areas such as neurophysiology, earthquake modeling, price spikes in electricity markets, the data of interest are point processes (aka sequences of events) or combinations of point processes and analog signals. To understand the underlying subject of interest we need to be able to extract the maximum information from these observation sequences. The current tools for doing this are very limited. This research program will develop the complex signal processing and system methodology needed to create a suitable tool set.Read moreRead less
COMPLEX NETWORKS: DYNAMICS, OPTIMIZATION AND CONTROL. Complex networks such large power grids, the Internet, transportation networks and co-operation networks of all kinds provide challenges for frontier technologies particularly computing, communication and control. In particular, advanced societies have become dependent on large infrastructure networks to an extent beyond our capability to plan and control them. The recent spate of collapses in power grids and virus attacks on the Internet i ....COMPLEX NETWORKS: DYNAMICS, OPTIMIZATION AND CONTROL. Complex networks such large power grids, the Internet, transportation networks and co-operation networks of all kinds provide challenges for frontier technologies particularly computing, communication and control. In particular, advanced societies have become dependent on large infrastructure networks to an extent beyond our capability to plan and control them. The recent spate of collapses in power grids and virus attacks on the Internet illustrate the need for research on modelling, analysis of behaviour, planning and control in such networks. This project aims to establish research in this area for Australia's benefit.Read moreRead less
Finite-dimensional Sampled-data Control of Nonlinear Spatially Distributed Parameter Systems. Optical communication networks, smart materials and fluid flows, are all examples of systems whose behaviour can be significantly improved by automatic control. These are identified as some of the key technologies that will shape our future. This project will contribute to the fundamental science and engineering design of such diverse systems. Two postdoctoral fellows and one graduate student will be t ....Finite-dimensional Sampled-data Control of Nonlinear Spatially Distributed Parameter Systems. Optical communication networks, smart materials and fluid flows, are all examples of systems whose behaviour can be significantly improved by automatic control. These are identified as some of the key technologies that will shape our future. This project will contribute to the fundamental science and engineering design of such diverse systems. Two postdoctoral fellows and one graduate student will be trained in this important emerging field.Read moreRead less
New System Identification Techniques Utilising Misspecified Models. National benefits of the proposed research project will result from improvements in control due to a better, more complete understanding of the models obtained by the newly proposed system identification technique. The resulting effect on industrial practice will be an increase in efficiency, by reduced waste, lower pollution levels and increased throughput. Also, the techniques developed will be directly applicable to current r ....New System Identification Techniques Utilising Misspecified Models. National benefits of the proposed research project will result from improvements in control due to a better, more complete understanding of the models obtained by the newly proposed system identification technique. The resulting effect on industrial practice will be an increase in efficiency, by reduced waste, lower pollution levels and increased throughput. Also, the techniques developed will be directly applicable to current research in the areas of complex systems, such as smart structures and biological studies of the dynamic effects of drugs and hormones on genes.Read moreRead less
Analysis and design of control systems with saturation and time-delay. Control engineering is an enabling technology without which most modern engineering systems, such as aircrafts or Internet, can not operate properly. Actuator saturation and time-delays are undesirable phenomena that often arise in control systems leading to poor performance and sometimes instability. For example, both of these phenomena arise in control of modern telecommunication systems, such as Active Queue Management in ....Analysis and design of control systems with saturation and time-delay. Control engineering is an enabling technology without which most modern engineering systems, such as aircrafts or Internet, can not operate properly. Actuator saturation and time-delays are undesirable phenomena that often arise in control systems leading to poor performance and sometimes instability. For example, both of these phenomena arise in control of modern telecommunication systems, such as Active Queue Management in TCP networks. The project aims at tackling these phenomena by using recently developed techniques in antiwindup for saturating actuators and by revisiting some classical methods for Smith predictor design for time-delayed systems.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear Dynamics of Pulse Coupled Oscillators. A mathematical model of the heart pacemaker system will be created, based on simple interacting units. These units have been shown to be good models of physiological information e.g. the discrimination of different influences on heart rate. We will firstly look at the interaction of the units in simple combinations and then tune the model to mimic the behaviour of the cardiac pacemaker.
Potential benefits may arise from elucidating the mechanis ....Nonlinear Dynamics of Pulse Coupled Oscillators. A mathematical model of the heart pacemaker system will be created, based on simple interacting units. These units have been shown to be good models of physiological information e.g. the discrimination of different influences on heart rate. We will firstly look at the interaction of the units in simple combinations and then tune the model to mimic the behaviour of the cardiac pacemaker.
Potential benefits may arise from elucidating the mechanisms underlying arrhythmias which contribute to ?sudden cardiac death? in young men, and suggesting strategies for artificial pacemakers to effectively arrest abnormal rhythms before they convert to potentially fatal fibrillation.Read moreRead less
Enhancing Performance in Controlling Finite Level Quantum Systems with Uncertainties. Australia is a recognized leader in the international race to develop quantum frontier technologies. Funding of this project will consolidate and strengthen Australia's leadership in quantum information technology by developing new theory and tractable control approaches to deal with typical uncertainties arising in practical applications and to enhance performance in controlling finite level quantum systems, a ....Enhancing Performance in Controlling Finite Level Quantum Systems with Uncertainties. Australia is a recognized leader in the international race to develop quantum frontier technologies. Funding of this project will consolidate and strengthen Australia's leadership in quantum information technology by developing new theory and tractable control approaches to deal with typical uncertainties arising in practical applications and to enhance performance in controlling finite level quantum systems, and will also enhance the capability of Australian researchers to participate in promising quantum technologies. The outcomes of this project will play an important role in establishing Australian quantum information industries, which can provide new commercial opportunities and benefit Australia's economy.Read moreRead less
Modelling patient flows through hospitals: optimizing effective use of resources. Hospitals are complex, dynamic systems confronted by increased demand in the face of shrinking real capacity. Managing such systems is currently undertaken with sub-optimal analytical support, particularly when demand and capacity are changing and resources must be manipulated to respond to such changes. In this project, the investigators will apply a mathematical modelling approach to the analysis of hospital pati ....Modelling patient flows through hospitals: optimizing effective use of resources. Hospitals are complex, dynamic systems confronted by increased demand in the face of shrinking real capacity. Managing such systems is currently undertaken with sub-optimal analytical support, particularly when demand and capacity are changing and resources must be manipulated to respond to such changes. In this project, the investigators will apply a mathematical modelling approach to the analysis of hospital patient flows. Furthermore, they will employ statistical process control methodologies to the problem of recognising and responding to changes in the flows, so that performance objectives are met. In doing this, they will give health service managers and clinicians a significant advantage in deciding how best to manage a constrained resource to maximize access, throughput and patient outcomes.Read moreRead less
Modelling and estimation methods for discrete multi-dimensional systems. Multi-dimensional signal processing plays a role in a variety of application areas, ranging from remote sensing for environmental monitoring and geological mapping, to medical imaging and the automatic control of industrial processes. The success of the project will provide mathematical tools for the advancement of the state-of-the-art in these broad areas.