CSC/CommNetS-MHI Seminar: Milad Siami

Speaker: Dr. Milad Siami, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering | Northeastern University

Talk Title: Optimizing sparse interactions for control and sensing in complex networks

Series: CSC/CommNetS-MHI Seminar Series

Abstract:


This presentation introduces innovative strategies for enhancing control and sensing in large- scale complex networks, with a focus on minimizing resource usage to improve system performance. We address the challenge of non-submodular sensor scheduling in large-scale linear time-varying dynamics, tackling combinatorial, non-convex, NP-hard tasks. Beginning with a simple greedy algorithm, we present an approximation bound based on submodularity and curvature concepts, showing its superiority over existing methods. Shifting to discrete-time autonomous vehicle platoons, we employ graph- theoretic principles for state feedback laws, analyzing stability conditions based on underlying graph properties and update cycles. We explore H2-based robustness, demonstrating the impact of network density and update cycles on system performance. Specifically, we show that denser networks (i.e., networks with more communication links) might require faster agents (i.e., smaller update cycles) to outperform or achieve the same level of robustness as sparse networks (i.e., networks with fewer communication links). Practical examples and results from simulations and experiments, including work with Quanser's Qlabs and Qcars, validate the effectiveness of our approaches, emphasizing strategic sensor scheduling and robust design in autonomous vehicle platoons.




Biography:


Milad Siami is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northeastern University and a Core Faculty Member of the Institute for Experiential AI at the same institution. Prior to joining Northeastern, he served as a Postdoctoral Associate at the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society. He earned his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University and was a long- term visiting researcher at the Institute for Mathematics and Its Applications at the University of Minnesota. Additionally, he has experience as a Software Engineering Research Intern in the Modeling and Data Mining Group at Google Research NYC. Dr. Siami's research primarily focuses on the structural/graphical underpinnings of large-scale
dynamical networks and enhancing the reliability and security of AI-based autonomous systems. His specific areas of interest include distributed control systems, multi-robot systems, and autonomous networks. His current research is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and the Army Research Laboratory (ARL).




Host: Dr. Mihailo Jovanovic

More Info: https://csc.usc.edu/seminars/2024Spring/siami.html

More Information: 2024.02.23 Seminar - Milad Siami.pdf

Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - EEB 132

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Miki Arlen

Event Link: https://csc.usc.edu/seminars/2024Spring/siami.html