Economical and practical design and analysis of probabilistic distributed systems. Complex computing systems composed of communicating processes are
distributed over networks, and interact with embedded hardware
components. They routinely operate in probabilistic environments:
hardware components fail randomly, but at known rates; and tactical
randomisation resolves competition for resources. Effective
specification, development and analysis methods for these systems
is crucial, and probab ....Economical and practical design and analysis of probabilistic distributed systems. Complex computing systems composed of communicating processes are
distributed over networks, and interact with embedded hardware
components. They routinely operate in probabilistic environments:
hardware components fail randomly, but at known rates; and tactical
randomisation resolves competition for resources. Effective
specification, development and analysis methods for these systems
is crucial, and probability makes that particularly difficult.
The focus of this project is to develop new formal methods that are
economical and practical in use. Exploiting our recent advances in
probabilistic program semantics, we will add probability in a new
way to proven techniques in concurrency theory, including
refinement and hierarchical design.Read moreRead less
Algebraic reasoning for serialisability in probabilistic transaction systems. The ability to analyse complex systems is a vital part of the development of large-scale computer applications; a method that improves the quality of the analysis task would increase the competitiveness of the software industry, would attract future development work (in complex and intelligent systems) to Australia, and could contribute to national security.
The results of this project will have a direct influence ....Algebraic reasoning for serialisability in probabilistic transaction systems. The ability to analyse complex systems is a vital part of the development of large-scale computer applications; a method that improves the quality of the analysis task would increase the competitiveness of the software industry, would attract future development work (in complex and intelligent systems) to Australia, and could contribute to national security.
The results of this project will have a direct influence on currently available design tools; the fact that Australian institutions will be responsible for key theoretical results in this growing field will strengthen Australia's position worldwide as an international centre for computer science.Read moreRead less
Hidden-state modelling for modular analysis of information flow, protection and risk evaluation. Automation is increasing explosively, and the cliche is no longer that there is a cpu chip in your washing machine, television or automobile. Nowadays they are potentially in our cash cards, passports and soon on every item in our shopping baskets. Australia is a leader in adopting and developing such technology.
Security and privacy, hard enough for PCs, thus concerns smaller, more numerous devi ....Hidden-state modelling for modular analysis of information flow, protection and risk evaluation. Automation is increasing explosively, and the cliche is no longer that there is a cpu chip in your washing machine, television or automobile. Nowadays they are potentially in our cash cards, passports and soon on every item in our shopping baskets. Australia is a leader in adopting and developing such technology.
Security and privacy, hard enough for PCs, thus concerns smaller, more numerous devices that we might not even realise we are using.
Our research aims to make it easier and more effective to describe and then successfully build-in features that enforce security without adverse impact on usability.Read moreRead less
Designing software for secrecy: Security-enabled program algebra. Ensuring security and privacy, hard enough for PCs, is a critical problem in computer engineering; the frequency with which software security breaches are reported in smartcards and web applications means that new software-design techniques are urgently needed. This project aims to improve the quality of computer software by creating smart technology which will make it easier for designers to describe and then successfully build ....Designing software for secrecy: Security-enabled program algebra. Ensuring security and privacy, hard enough for PCs, is a critical problem in computer engineering; the frequency with which software security breaches are reported in smartcards and web applications means that new software-design techniques are urgently needed. This project aims to improve the quality of computer software by creating smart technology which will make it easier for designers to describe and then successfully build-in features that enforce security in software without adverse impact on usability. This research addresses National Security Priority 3, Smart technology, and will build on Australia's world-leading position in pioneering uptake of innovative technology.Read moreRead less
Realising the promise of neural networks for practical optimisation: improving their efficiency and effectivess through chaotic dynamics and hardware implementation. Combinatorial optimisation problems such as transportation routing and assembly-line scheduling are critical to the efficiency of many industries, but their combinatorial explosion makes rapid solution difficult. Neural networks (NNs) hold much potential for rapid solution though hardware implementation, but we need to improve the q ....Realising the promise of neural networks for practical optimisation: improving their efficiency and effectivess through chaotic dynamics and hardware implementation. Combinatorial optimisation problems such as transportation routing and assembly-line scheduling are critical to the efficiency of many industries, but their combinatorial explosion makes rapid solution difficult. Neural networks (NNs) hold much potential for rapid solution though hardware implementation, but we need to improve the quality of their solutions before developing hardware. We have previously shown that the rich dynamics of chaos can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of NNs. We aim to develop new chaotic NN models, rigorously evaluate them on industrially significant problems such as those arising in manufacturing, logistics and telecommunications, and demonstrate their speed through hardware acceleration.Read moreRead less
Modelling, Identification and Control of Complex Networks. Australia has been well known for its leading research in systems and control and many real-world applications in, for instance, telecommunications, defence, power grids and life sciences. This project will further promote Australia's leading position in the emerging new research field - complex networks by theoretical breakthrough in modelling, identification and control of complex networks, and cutting-edge platform technology that can ....Modelling, Identification and Control of Complex Networks. Australia has been well known for its leading research in systems and control and many real-world applications in, for instance, telecommunications, defence, power grids and life sciences. This project will further promote Australia's leading position in the emerging new research field - complex networks by theoretical breakthrough in modelling, identification and control of complex networks, and cutting-edge platform technology that can help Australian energy industry to reduce greenhouse emissions. It will also result in education of the next generation research leaders in this emerging field.Read moreRead less
Statistical Analysis of Some Partially Observed Processes Arising in Ecological Research. The expected outcomes of this project are the provision of statistical methods to draw important information from samples from wild animal populations and the training of researchers to conduct high quality statistical ecological research. The national benefit lies on the availability of the developed techniques and researchers from this project to the society for finding better ways of managing Australia's ....Statistical Analysis of Some Partially Observed Processes Arising in Ecological Research. The expected outcomes of this project are the provision of statistical methods to draw important information from samples from wild animal populations and the training of researchers to conduct high quality statistical ecological research. The national benefit lies on the availability of the developed techniques and researchers from this project to the society for finding better ways of managing Australia's ecological systems and making Australia environmentally sustainable.Read moreRead less
Dynamic Analysis and Control for Hybrid Systems and Networks. Hybrid systems are now accepted as the best way to model many high-tech situations in transport, energy management, networking, household and industrial automation. This project will develop the theoretical tools needed to ensure such systems operate stably and efficiently despite imperfections and outside disturbances.
Generalised quantum models of complexity with application to cognitive systems. Non-separable systems surround us. Our transportation, taxation, schooling, environmental and social policies are all interrelated, and it is increasingly recognised that we cannot consider them in isolation. Such systems are generally deemed complex, and it is often impossible to separate them from one another. Despite this, many of our most advanced modelling techniques are grounded in principles of separability a ....Generalised quantum models of complexity with application to cognitive systems. Non-separable systems surround us. Our transportation, taxation, schooling, environmental and social policies are all interrelated, and it is increasingly recognised that we cannot consider them in isolation. Such systems are generally deemed complex, and it is often impossible to separate them from one another. Despite this, many of our most advanced modelling techniques are grounded in principles of separability and non-contextuality. This project will develop a new set of models of non-separable systems and complexity that will in turn lead to new frontier technologies and theories.Read moreRead less
Occupational Measures Approach to Long Run Average and Singularly Perturbed Optimal Control Problems. Problems of optimal control of long-run average and singularly perturbed systems arise in many applications. The project will lead to the development of new linear programming based techniques for analyzing these problems (including problems intractable so far) and finding their numerical solutions. The new techniques will have a potential to be further developed into software that can benefit A ....Occupational Measures Approach to Long Run Average and Singularly Perturbed Optimal Control Problems. Problems of optimal control of long-run average and singularly perturbed systems arise in many applications. The project will lead to the development of new linear programming based techniques for analyzing these problems (including problems intractable so far) and finding their numerical solutions. The new techniques will have a potential to be further developed into software that can benefit Australian industries and technologies. The proposed topic is in the focus of interest of many eminent researchers around the world and the dissemination of our results will further improve Australia's standing in the international research community. Read moreRead less