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SUNMONTUEWEDTHUFRISAT
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Events for May
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Computational geomechanics across different scales
Tue, May 02, 2006 @ 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker:Ronaldo I. Borja
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Stanford UniversityAbstract
In this seminar I will present the ongoing research work at Stanford University in the area of computational geomechanics spanning different scales. Research currently being undertaken in computational geomechanics dealing with kilometre-scale problems includes numerical simulation of folding and fracturing of sedimentary rock strata using combined elastoplastic-damage continuum theory along with enhanced finite element methods, and simulation of regional-scale fault nucleation and propagation using a finite deformation stick-slip law with a variable coefficient of friction. Research dealing with millimetre-to-meter scale problems focuses on quantifying the effect of spatial density variation on the localization properties of dense sands using a continuum meso-scale simulation technique. Research dealing with micron-scale problems includes theoretical and numerical investigation into the micromechanics of porous media through Lattice-Boltzmann simulations of fluid flow hydrodynamics in porous sandstones. Measurement and calibration are key to a successful development of computational algorithms and numerical models at different scales. LiDAR technology, including laser scanning, GPS, and digital imagery provides high-resolution topographic data to constrain kilometre-scale fold models and decametre-long, centimetre-thickness fractures. At the other end of the spectrum lie the advances of 3D digital imaging of lab specimens using X-Ray computed tomography with micron-scale resolution. Combined with traditional testing of centimetre- and metre-scale lab specimens, I will describe how our numerical models can reach a level of mathematical sophistication commensurate with our ability to measure the relevant response variables.Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - rielian Hall, Room 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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Joint Source-Channel Coding in Gaussian Fading Channels
Tue, May 02, 2006 @ 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Prof. Giuseppe CaireAbstract: Multicasting a common "analog" source over a wireless channel to a large number of users is still the main application of wireless communications. Analog FM for audio, AM-SSB for TV, DTV and DAB are practical example of this problem. Shannon's separation theorem has driven the design of today's digital multicasting systems. Unfortunately, separate design and operations of source compression and channel coding might put unnecessarily tight constraints on the channel post-decoding error probability. These constraints require practical systems to back off from the theoretical limits. Furthermore, when multicasting to a large set of users in different (fading) channel conditions, the sharp threshold effect of digital systems designed according to the separation principle is not desirable. On the contrary, a "graceful degradation" effect that emulates the behavior of analog systems is more suited for this scenario.In this talk, I shall present some recent advances in Joint Source Channel Coding applied to the wireless channel. The talk is aimed at presenting on-going work, in an informal and hopefully stimulating format.
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - -248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mayumi Thrasher
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The Mechanics of Dog-Bone Shaped Inclusions in an Elastic Medium
Wed, May 03, 2006 @ 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker:Arash Noshadravan
USC, CE Graduate Student
Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - rielian Hall, Room 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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Optimizing Divide-and-Conquer
Mon, May 08, 2006 @ 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
CENG SEMINAR SERIES"Optimizing Divide-and-Conquer Scan Test"Dr. C.P. RavikumarTexas Instruments IndiaABSTRACT:Test application time and test power are important considerations in modern-day SoC that can pack over 10 million gates. Today, the industrial practice is to make use of scan testing with on-chip compression and decompression to reduce test application time. A divide-and-conquer mechanism is used to reduce test power. However, it is rarely possible to partition the SoC in a way that can eliminate a "top-up" mode where all the scan flops are stitched into top-level scan chains. The top-up mode is intended for addressing faults in the glue logic and is often a "killer" - it can reduce the effectiveness of hierarchical test and scan test compression. In this talk, we describe two improvements over the traditional Divide-and-Conquer Scan Test to reduce test application time and test power. We illustrate the benefits of using these techniques on industrial designs.BIO:Dr. C.P. Ravikumar obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California in 1991. He then joined the faculty of Electrical Engineering at IIT Delhi, where he rose from the position of Assistant Professor to Full Professor, before moving on to a position in the industry in 2000. He spent a year at Control Net India as Vice President of Training and R&D, and later joined Texas Instruments India as Senior Technologist in VLSI Test. He has published over 150 papers in international journals and conferences in the areas of Design for Test, VLSI Design, and High Performance Computing. He has made professional contributions to a number of conferences in India, including the VLSI Design Conference, VLSI Design and Test Symposium (which he founded), and the High Performance Computing conference. He is the recipient of the Best Student Paper Award at the VLSI Design Conference, the Best Paper Awards at VLSI Test Symposium and VLSI Design Conference.Host: Prof. Viktor Prasanna, x04483
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - -248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Rosine Sarafian
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Cross-layer Optimization for Wireless Networks with Multi-Receiver Diversity
Tue, May 16, 2006 @ 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
CSI INTERNAL SEMINARSpeaker: Prof. Michael NeelyAbstract: We consider the problem of communicating data from multiple traffic streams over an ad-hoc wireless network with time varying channels, user mobility, and possible transmission errors. Our network model is well suited for stochastic environments where exact channel conditions are difficult to assess, such as underwater networks of acoustic transmitters (where ocean dynamics and large delays create channel uncertainty), and land networks with mobility (where knowledge of which receivers are currently within transmission range may be uncertain). To communicate in these extreme environments, we exploit the broadcast advantage of wireless networks. Specifically, a single transmission might be overheard by a set of potential receivers. This creates a natural multi-receiver diversity gain, where the probability that at least one node successfully receives the transmission can be much larger than the success probability of any pre-specified receiver. To fully exploit the multi-receiver diversity gain, network routing algorithms must be designed with the flexibility of dynamically adjusting routing decisions after each packet is transmitted. This functionality affects network design at all networking layers, and is a hot topic of current research. In this talk, we present novel cross-layer control algorithms for routing, resource allocation, and flow control, with the goal of optimizing performance metrics of throughput, fairness, and power expenditure. A simple set of distributed flow control and routing algorithms are presented and shown to achieve optimality subject to a given multiple access structure, and the challenge of choosing a good multiple access structure is also discussed. Our results are based on the stochastic network optimization techniques developed in our recent work (Ph.D. Thesis 2003, INFOCOM 2003, 2005, CISS 2006, NOW Foundations & Trends 2006), including;L. Georgiadis, M. J. Neely, L. Tassiulas, "Resource Allocation and Cross-Layer Control in Wireless Networks," Foundations and Trends in Networking, Vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1-149, 2006.M. J. Neely, "Optimal Backpressure Routing for Wireless Networks with Multi-Receiver Diversity," Conference on Information Sciences and Systems (CISS), invited paper on optimization of communication networks, March 2006.
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - -248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mayumi Thrasher
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Engineering Genetic Circuits
Mon, May 22, 2006 @ 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
CENG SEMINAR SERIES" Engineering Genetic Circuits "Prof. Chris J. MyersUniversity of UtahABSTRACT:Through the use of microarrays and other new technologies, we are beginning to obtain data on how genes interact to perform complex biological functions. To reason about these genetic circuits, a systems biology perspective is necessary in which new models and efficient analysis techniques must be developed. Given their vast experience in reasoning about complex electronic circuits, engineers are uniquely equipped to assist with this effort. An engineering approach to this problem involves three steps. First, engineers examine experimental data in order develop models. Second, engineers develop efficient analysis methods to reason about these models. Finally, engineers use these analysis methods to assist in the design of new circuits. This talk presents our research in each of these three areas. First, we present a Bayesian approach to analyzing time series experimental data to learn the model for the genetic circuit that produced that data. Second, we present an abstraction methodology that transforms a reaction-based model of a genetic circuit into a stochastic asynchronous circuit model that facilitates efficient analysis. Results are presented for the phage lambda virus and the E. Coli FIM system. Finally, we present initial work on the design of a genetic circuit to perform the function of a Muller C-element, the basic state-holding gate found in most asynchronous circuit designs.BIO:Chris J. Myers received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering and Chinese history in 1991 from the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, and the M.S.E.E. and Ph.D. degrees from Stanford University, Stanford, CA, in 1993 and 1995, respectively. He is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT. Dr. Myers is the author of over 60 technical papers and the textbook Asynchronous Circuit Design. He is also a co-inventor on 4 patents. His research interests include algorithms for the analysis of real-time concurrent systems, analog error control decoders, formal verification, asynchronous circuit design, and the modeling and analysis of genetic regulatory circuits. Dr. Myers received an NSF Fellowship in 1991, an NSF CAREER award in 1996, and a best paper award at Async99.Host: Prof. Peter Beerel, x044831
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - -248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Rosine Sarafian
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Dynamic Imaging of Brain Function with MEG and EEG
Wed, May 24, 2006 @ 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Matti S. Hamalainen, Ph.D. Abstract:
Timing is essential for proper brain functioning. Magneto-encephalo- graphy (MEG) and electroencephalo-graphy (EEG) are at present the only noninvasive human brain imaging tools that provide submillisecond temporal accuracy and thus help to unravel dynamics of cortical function. MEG and EEG reflect the electrical currents in neurons directly, rather than the associated hemodynamic or metabolic effects. Unfortunately, the underlying current distribution cannot be recovered uniquely, even if the magnetic field (MEG) and the electric potential (EEG) were precisely known everywhere outside the head. Therefore, appropriate constraints must be applied to facilitate the solution. The current distribution can be modeled either by a constellation of discrete focal sources or by a continuous distribution. In both approaches an accurate forward field computation model is required to predict signals generated by a given source cur-rent distribution. The computational complexity of the MEG and EEG source estimation problem is due to two basic factors. First, the data to be modeled consist of 300-400 channels sampled at a rate of 200-2000 Hz acquired for a period of 1-60 minutes. In evoked response studies, averaging is often employed to reduce the number of data samples to less 10,000. However, analysis of continuous raw data is becoming more and common to reveal fine details of brain dynamics and to compute the statistics of the current estimates. Second, an accurate forward field and potential calculation requires numerical solution of the Maxwell's equations using either the Boundary-Element Method (BEM), the Finite-Element Method (FEM), or the Finite- Difference Method (FDM) and has to be repeated for hundreds or thousands of elementary sources.
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Kaleena Richards
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CS Colloquium Series
Fri, May 26, 2006 @ 03:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Paul Scerri (CMU)
Host: Prof. Milind TambeColloquia Page: http://enl.usc.edu/colloq/ Refreshments will be served.Title: Towards Practical Heterogeneous TeamsAbstract:
The process of taking well developed theories of teamwork and creating large, practical, heterogeneous teams has revealed new challenges requiring novel solutions. In this talk, I will discuss some of the challenges and the solutions we have developed. Specifically, I will focus on the use of /tokens/ as an abstraction for scalable and robust coordination algorithms. Tokens encapsulate both information and control, thus allowing agents to make local decisions that are likely to lead to good global behavior. A key to many of our scalable coordination algorithms is that locally improbable events become highly likely on a large scale. These algorithms often use orders of magnitude less communication than optimal approaches while performing almost as well. I will also discuss some of the additional algorithms, e.g., meta-reasoning, that are useful for practical environments. Finally, I will describe applications of the approach to a variety of projects and open issues raised by specific projects.Bio:
Paul Scerri is a Systems Scientist at Carnegie Mellon University. Since 1997, when his RoboCup football simulation team won a game at the first world championships, Paul has been dedicated to building bigger and better teams (because his team also lost two games and he is very competitive). Currently, much of his focus is on heterogeneous teams with a mixture of robots, agents and people. His thesis work, conducted at Linkoping University and USC, and post-doctoral work at USC, looked specifically at how humans and agents can flexibly work together, transferring control in a way that maximizes overall team reward. Since then, he has been trying to make bigger and bigger teams for a variety of domains. Most recently Paul has been building heterogeneous teams of unmanned aerial vehicles which isn't half as much fun as RoboCup soccer, but uses many of the same algorithms and makes for some really cool demos.
Location: Seaver Science Library (SSL) - 150
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Nancy Levien
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CS Colloquium Series
Fri, May 26, 2006 @ 03:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Paul Scerri (CMU)Host: Prof. Milind TambeColloquia Page: http://enl.usc.edu/colloq/ Refreshments will be served.Title: Towards Practical Heterogeneous TeamsAbstract:
The process of taking well developed theories of teamwork and creating large, practical, heterogeneous teams has revealed new challenges requiring novel solutions. In this talk, I will discuss some of the challenges and the solutions we have developed. Specifically, I will focus on the use of /tokens/ as an abstraction for scalable and robust coordination algorithms. Tokens encapsulate both information and control, thus allowing agents to make local decisions that are likely to lead to good global behavior. A key to many of our scalable coordination algorithms is that locally improbable events become highly likely on a large scale. These algorithms often use orders of magnitude less communication than optimal approaches while performing almost as well. I will also discuss some of the additional algorithms, e.g., meta-reasoning, that are useful for practical environments. Finally, I will describe applications of the approach to a variety of projects and open issues raised by specific projects.Bio:
Paul Scerri is a Systems Scientist at Carnegie Mellon University. Since 1997, when his RoboCup football simulation team won a game at the first world championships, Paul has been dedicated to building bigger and better teams (because his team also lost two games and he is very competitive). Currently, much of his focus is on heterogeneous teams with a mixture of robots, agents and people. His thesis work, conducted at Linkoping University and USC, and post-doctoral work at USC, looked specifically at how humans and agents can flexibly work together, transferring control in a way that maximizes overall team reward. Since then, he has been trying to make bigger and bigger teams for a variety of domains. Most recently Paul has been building heterogeneous teams of unmanned aerial vehicles which isn't half as much fun as RoboCup soccer, but uses many of the same algorithms and makes for some really cool demos.
Location: Seaver Science Library (SSL) - 150
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Nancy Levien
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Description of New University-Based Basic Research Program for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction
Wed, May 31, 2006 @ 09:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
By
L. J. Palkuti
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Ft Belvoir, VA
703 767-2900 A broad agency announcement (BAA) recently released by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency for a basic research program will be described. This research is designed to support the advancement and understanding of the sciences with an emphasis on exploring new and innovative research for combating or countering WMD. This effort focuses on long-term support for university research, training of graduate students and laboratory instrumentation development on basic science needs that offer significant and comprehensive benefits to the DTRA mission. Open to accredited educational institutions, DTRA is seeking basic research in the following eight topical areas: Radiological and Nuclear Detection Material Science, Novel High Energy Materials and Processes for Counter WMD Applications, Particulate and Agent Dynamics in Multiphase Turbulent Reacting Flows, Understanding Network Response to Attack, Adversarial Social Network Theory, Biodosimetry Biomarkers for Mixed Radiation Exposure, Thermal Nanobiosensor Material Science and Novel Methods for WMD Explosives Detection. Details of the research concentration areas will be presented.
Location: Hedco Pertroleum and Chemical Engineering Building (HED) - 116
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Petra Pearce
