Events for the 3rd week of April
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Center for Systems and Control (CSC@USC) and Ming Hsieh Institute for Electrical Engineering
Mon, Apr 16, 2018 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: John Baras, The Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland
Talk Title: Networked Cyber-Physical Systems (Net-CPS)
Series: Joint CSC@USC/CommNetS-MHI Seminar Series
Abstract: We describe recent results on foundational aspects of modeling, architecture and performance of networked cyber-physical systems. These include: multi-layer multigraph models, constrained coalitional games, analysis of trust and mistrust in collaboration, dynamics of signed graphs, distributed consensus with adversaries, new concepts of value of information and event-driven inference and decision making, non-commutative probability models. We conclude with directions for future research.
Biography: John Baras is with the University of Maryland College Park, where he holds he endowed Lockheed Martin Chair in Systems Engineering. He received the Diploma in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens, Greece, 1970; the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University 1971, 1973. Since 1973, he has been a faculty member in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, and in the Applied Mathematics, Statistics and Scientific Computation Program, at the University of Maryland College Park. Founding Director of the Institute for Systems Research (ISR), 1985 to 1991. Since 1992, Founding Director of the Maryland Center for Hybrid Networks (HYNET). Since 2013, Guest Professor at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden. IEEE Life Fellow, SIAM Fellow, AAAS Fellow, NAI Fellow, IFAC Fellow, AIAA Associate Fellow, and a Foreign Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA). Received the 1980 George Axelby Award from the IEEE Control Systems Society, the 2006 Leonard Abraham Prize from the IEEE Communications Society, the 2014 Tage Erlander Guest Professorship from the Swedish Research Council, and a three year (2014-2017) Senior Hans Fischer Fellowship from the Institute for Advanced Study of the Technical University of Munich, Germany. He was inducted in the A. J. Clark School of Engineering Innovation Hall of Fame (2016) of the University of Maryland and was awarded the 2017 IEEE Simon Ramo Medal, and the 2017 AACC Richard E. Bellman Control Heritage Award. His research interests include systems and control, optimization, communication networks, signal processing and understanding, robotics, computing systems, network security and trust, systems biology, healthcare management systems, model-based systems engineering.
Host: Mihailo Jovanovic, mihailo@usc.edu
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 132
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Gerrielyn Ramos
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EE Seminar - Controlling Dynamic Ensembles: from Cells to Societies
Tue, Apr 17, 2018 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Jr-Shin Li, Das Family Distinguished Career Development Associate Professor of Systems Science and Mathematics, Washington University in St. Louis
Talk Title: Controlling Dynamic Ensembles: from Cells to Societies
Abstract: Natural and engineered systems that consist of populations of isolated or interacting dynamical components exhibit levels of complexity that are beyond human comprehension. These complex systems often require an appropriate excitation, an optimal hierarchical organization, or a periodic dynamical structure, such as synchrony, to function as desired or operate optimally. In many applications, the dynamics of such ensemble systems can only be regulated by the use of a single or sparsely distributed external inputs in order to alter their state configurations or dynamic patterns; for example, excitation of a large quantum ensemble using a sequence of electromagnetic fields in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging, entrainment of a population of circadian cells by a light protocol in chronobiology, and desynchronization of a pathologically synchronized neuron ensemble with neurostimulation for the treatment of neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease or epilepsy, in brain medicine. This unconventional control paradigm gives rise to challenging problems regarding robust broadcast control and computation for underactuated dynamic populations. Moreover, valid and precise mathematical models for describing the dynamics of such complex systems are often elusive, while their measurement data are available. This talk will address theoretical and computational challenges for targeted coordination of both isolated and networked ensemble systems arising in diverse areas at different scales. Both data-driven and model-based approaches for learning, decoding, control, and computation of dynamic structures and patterns in ensemble systems will be presented. Practical control designs, including synchronization waveforms for pattern formation in nonlinear oscillatory networks and optimal pulses in quantum control will be illustrated along with their experimental realizations. Lastly, future directions and opportunities in Systems and Controls will be discussed.
Biography: Dr. Jr-Shin Li is currently Das Family Distinguished Career Development Associate Professor of Systems Science and Mathematics in the Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, where he also holds a joint appointment in the Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences since he joined Washington University in 2006. Dr. Li received a B.S. and an M.S. from National Taiwan University, and a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University in 2006. His research interests lie in the areas of systems, computational, and data sciences, and their applications to biology, neuroscience, quantum physics, brain medicine, and public health. He is a recipient of the NSF Career Award in 2008 and the AFOSR Young Investigator Award in 2010. He is currently Associate Editor of the SIAM Journal on Control and Optimization (SICON) and the IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology (TCST).
Host: Edmond Jonckheere, jonckhee@usc.edu
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 132
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mayumi Thrasher
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EE Seminar - From DC to Daylight: Harnessing Electromagnetic Fields for Bioelectronics, Wireless Communications, and Silicon Photonics
Wed, Apr 18, 2018 @ 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Constantine Sideris, Postdoctoral Scholar, Caltech
Talk Title: From DC to Daylight: Harnessing Electromagnetic Fields for Bioelectronics, Wireless Communications, and Silicon Photonics
Abstract: Maxwell's equations are responsible for explaining the fundamental operating principles behind most of today's technology. In this talk, we will explore how understanding and controlling electromagnetic fields can lead to significant impact across a multitude of applications over a wide frequency range on the electromagnetic spectrum. Starting from the low-frequency end of the spectrum, I will present the design and implementation of a new integrated magnetic biosensor. The magnetic biosensor is fabricated in a standard CMOS foundry process without any post-fabrication processing and can perform in-vitro detection of DNA, proteins, and cells by utilizing magnetic nanoparticles as labels. We will discuss three different, improved sensor designs, which address sensor gain uniformity, enable multiplex target detection, and compensate sensor electrical and thermal drift based on spatial and temporal manipulations of the magnetic fields. I will present initial in-vitro biodetection experiments, and discuss future research directions moving towards in-vivo sensing with wearable and implantable devices, as well as actuation via targeted therapeutics. Next, we will look into the RF domain and develop maximal performance bounds for antennas. I will present a rapid simulation technique which, when coupled with heuristic optimization algorithms, can quickly and effectively produce new antenna structures de-novo with little or no manual intervention. The efficacy of these techniques will be shown in the context of a 3D printed coupling antenna for a dielectric waveguide communication link. Moving higher in frequency, we will explore the near-infrared (NIR) part of the spectrum in the context of silicon photonic device optimization. I will present on-going work in designing grating coupler and power splitting devices with arbitrary splitting ratios by using adjoint optimization and highly efficient integral equation techniques. We will also explore exciting future directions in these research areas, leveraging modern computation and efficient numerical algorithms as well as holistic co-design of circuits and electromagnetics.
Biography: Constantine Sideris received the B.S., M.S., and PhD degrees with honors from the California Institute of Technology in 2010, 2011, and 2016 respectively. He was a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley's Wireless Research Center from 2013 to 2014. He was a lecturer in the Electrical Engineering department for Caltech's popular machine learning project course in 2017. He is currently a postdoctoral scholar in the Electrical Engineering and Computational and Mathematical Sciences departments at Caltech. His research interests include RF and millimeter-wave integrated circuits and computational electromagnetics for biomedical applications, wireless communications, and silicon photonics. He was a recipient of an NSF graduate research fellowship in 2010, the Analog Devices Outstanding Student Designer Award in 2012, and the Caltech Leadership Award in 2017.
Host: Murali Annavaram, annarvarm@usc.edu
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mayumi Thrasher
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EE Seminar - Trustworthy Autonomy: Algorithms for Human-Robot Systems
Thu, Apr 19, 2018 @ 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Katherine Driggs-Campbell, Postdoctoral Research Scholar, Stanford Intelligent Systems Laboratory
Talk Title: Trustworthy Autonomy: Algorithms for Human-Robot Systems
Abstract: Autonomous systems, such as self-driving cars, are becoming tangible technologies that will soon impact the human experience. However, the desirable impacts of autonomy are only achievable if the underlying algorithms can handle the unique challenges humans present: People tend to defy expected behaviors and do not conform to many of the standard assumptions made in robotics. To design safe, trustworthy autonomy, we must transform how intelligent systems interact, influence, and predict human agents. In this work, we'll use tools from robotics, artificial intelligence, and control to explore and uncover structure in complex human-robot systems to create more intelligent, interactive autonomy.
In this talk, I'll present on robust prediction methods that allow us to predict driving behavior over long time horizons with very high accuracy. These methods have been applied to intervention schemes for semi-autonomous vehicles and to autonomous planning that considers nuanced interactions during cooperative maneuvers. I'll also present a new framework for multi-agent perception that uses people as sensors to improve mapping. By observing the actions of human agents, we demonstrate how we can make inferences about occluded regions and, in turn, improve control. Finally, I'll present on recent efforts on validating stochastic systems, merging deep learning and control, and implementing these algorithms on a fully equipped test vehicle that can operate safely on the road.
Biography: Katie is currently a Postdoctoral Research Scholar at the Stanford Intelligent Systems Laboratory in the Aeronautics and Astronautics Department. She received a B.S.E. with honors from Arizona State University in 2012 and an M.S. from UC Berkeley in 2015. In May of 2017, she earned her PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley, advised by Professor Ruzena Bajcsy. Her thesis was entitled "Tools for Trustworthy Autonomy: Robust Prediction, Intuitive Control, and Optimized Interaction," which contributed to the field of autonomy, by merging ideas robotics, transportation, and control to address problems associated with human-in-the-loop. Her work considers the integration of autonomy into human dominated fields, in terms of safe interaction, with a strong emphasis on novel modeling methods, experimental design, robust learning, and control frameworks. She received the Demetri Angelakos Memorial Achievement Award for her contributions to the community, has instigated many events and groups for women in STEM, including founding a group for Women in Intelligent Transportation Systems, and was selected for the Rising Stars in EECS program in 2017.
Host: Pierluigi Nuzzo, nuzzo@usc.edu
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 132
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mayumi Thrasher
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The Explosion in Neural Network Chips
Fri, Apr 20, 2018 @ 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Trevor Mudge, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Talk Title: The Explosion in Neural Network Chips
Abstract: Until recently the conventional wisdom was that proposing a new chip startup in the US was a bad bet. Recently that perception has changed. There are dozens of startups that have found funding for new chip architectures that perform neural network computations much faster while consuming less power than general purpose CPUs. In fact, over 1.5 billion dollars in venture funding has already been dispersed for such startups. There are several factors behind this change of heart. First has been a slowing of Moore's Law that has made application specific computers more attractive. Second is the existence of application specific computers that could easily be repurposed, as exemplified by Digital Signal Processors and Graphics Processors. Finally, the presence of independent foundries such as the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and the United Microelectronics Corporation removed the need for every chip startup to build its own multi-billion dollar fabrication facility. In this talk I will discuss the reasons for this explosion starting with an overview of the problems these machines are targeting. I will then examine the aforementioned factors in more detail. Lastly, I will outline the co-design process that has led to many of the existing solutions. My concluding remarks will discuss the barriers to the success of these new architectures.
Biography: Trevor Mudge received the Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana. He is now the Bredt Family Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He is author of numerous papers on computer architecture, programming languages, VLSI design, and computer vision. He has also chaired 54 theses in these areas. In 2014 he received the ACM/IEEE CS Eckert-Mauchly Award and the University of Illinois Distinguished Alumni Award. He is a Life Fellow of the IEEE, a Fellow of the ACM, and a member of the IET and the British Computer Society.
Host: Xuehai Qian, x04459, xuehai.qian@usc.edu
Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 109
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Gerrielyn Ramos