Comparison between constant‐stress and step‐stress accelerated life tests under Time Constraint

By running life tests at higher stress levels than normal operating conditions, accelerated life testing (ALT) quickly yields information on the lifetime distribution of a test unit. The lifetime at the design stress is then estimated through extrapolation using a regression model. In constant‐stress testing, a unit is tested at a fixed stress level until failure or the termination time point of test, whereas step‐stress testing allows the experimenter to gradually increase the stress levels at some prefixed time points during the test. In this work, the optimal k‐level constant‐stress and step‐stress ALTs are compared for the exponential failure data under complete sampling and Type‐I censoring. The objective is to quantify the advantage of using the step‐stress testing relative to the constant‐stress one. Assuming a log‐linear life–stress relationship with the cumulative exposure model for the effect of changing stress in step‐stress testing, the optimal design points are determined under C/D/A‐optimality criteria. The efficiency of step‐stress testing to constant‐stress one is then discussed in terms of the ratio of optimal objective functions based on the information matrix. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 00: 000–000, 2013     

Why did Sudan Lose a small war in Southern Sudan?

ABSTRACT

When on the wrong end of an asymmetry in the projection of hard power, weaker sides countenance the grim arithmetic of avoiding direct and massed confrontations. Invariably, insurgents have over the ages tended to employ indirect tactical methods to render their stronger opponents ineffective. Ultimately – interest asymmetry, regime type, asymmetries of strategy, and external intervention – combine in a complex interplay and pattern, to militate against a strong side. In Sudan, these factors interacted throughout the civil wars to produce regional autonomy and finally an independent South Sudan in 2011. Similar strategic logic had confronted many large African states battling insurgencies in Ethiopia, Angola, Nigeria, Zaire, and apartheid-era South Africa. Oftentimes, weakening public resolve has caused these governments to accommodate, capitulate or withdraw even if they try not to blink. Notwithstanding the regime type, it can be concluded that the majority of strong actors are prone to fail in a protracted, asymmetric conflict. Hence, the notion of linking victory in counterinsurgency to the degree of openness (democratic polyarchies); or closeness (totalitarianism) – is still valid but highly contestable in the case of Africa’s large dysfunctional states.     

Maintaining peace in a neighbourhood torn by separatism: the case of Satun province in southern Thailand

While separatist-related conflict has re-emerged in southern Thailand, there is one predominantly Muslim border province that has remained outside of the conflict. Satun province has been conspicuously unaffected by the Malay-Muslim separatist movement, despite its shared history and ethnic origins with the conflict-affected provinces. In contrast to Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, the process of state penetration in Satun was gradual and comparatively less coercive, leading to relative stability and encouraging political and economic integration. This comparative study analyzes the history of cooperative state–minority relations and political stability in Satun province, and draws important lessons directly applicable to the unrest in neighbouring provinces.     

基于ARMA辨识的色噪系统状态参数鲁棒估计

实际环境中观测系统的噪声,同时存在着白噪、色噪声和尖点噪声的影响.已有的研究都仅考虑白噪或色噪声,首次将实际系统中可能出现的所有噪声纳入观测方程,推导出统一的带白噪形式的观测方程.新观测方程在色噪声ARMA辨识基础上,可以直接用于传统的卡尔曼滤波算法,避免了扩维滤波.于是状态参数的稳健估计归结为ARMA参数的辨识.重点研究了自由参数选取与输入噪声之间的关系,将鲁棒支持向量回归机的优化问题转换成最大后验估计问题,为合理选择自由参数提供了理论依据.仿真结果验证了新算法的有效性.     

四阶累积量的MIMO雷达角度估计算法

针对色噪声环境下的MIMO雷达目标角度估计问题,提出一种新的参数估计算法.通过计算MIMO雷达接收数据的四阶累积量,并对构造出的累积量矩阵进行特征分解,结合MUSIC算法和ESPRIT算法实现了雷达目标的角度估计.在保证阵元扩展能力和目标分辨力的基础上进行了低复杂度改进,去掉了冗余信息,实现了目标参数的有效估计;同时由于采用四阶累积量,提高了算法抑制高斯噪声的能力,更利于工程应用.最后计算机仿真结果证实了算法的有效性和可行性.     

基于循环平稳的卫星信道多普勒频移估计

基于线性调制信号的循环平稳特性,卫星信道多普勒频移的估计可以通过求解发送信号与接收信号的循环相关函数关系得到.借助循环谱函数推导出发送信号的循环相关函数,接收信号的循环相关函数则对信号本身及其有限差分进行计算.仿真结果说明了该算法对信道中的干扰与噪声不敏感,在多普勒频移较大时,该算法具有良好的估计精度;同时该算法还具有低复杂度和应用灵活的特点.     

基于三粒子纠缠态的量子安全直接通信协议

提出了一种新的三粒子量子安全直接通信协议。通信过程利用decoy光子来检测窃听,保证信道安全。发送方将秘密消息编码在不同幺正操作上,通信双方通过Bell基和Z基测量可直接传递秘密消息。由于所有粒子都用于传输秘密消息,且传输一次可获得两比特信息,该协议具有较高的量子比特及量子密码协议效率;三粒子纠缠态的制备是已实现技术,该协议具有实际操作的意义。此外,该协议在量子信道中也是安全的。     

基于移动目标的DOA估计偏差校正

针对移动目标的波达方向估计容易出现偏差的问题,提出一种利用频移信息修正方位估计偏差的算法,解决了传统方位估计算法不能适用于高速移动目标或平台的问题。该方法利用基阵平台与目标的径向移动速度,估计中心频率偏移,然后利用频移信息修正传统的方位估计结果。仿真结果表明,该算法可以极大地提高移动目标的方位估计精度。此外,该算法对阵列的阵型和方位估计算法没有任何限制,因此具有广泛的适用性和较强的工程实用价值。     

一种基于零控脱靶量的滑模末制导律设计

基于零控脱靶量的思想,提出一种能够有效针对大气层再入目标的滑模末制导律.首先,建立纵向平面内的弹目相对运动方程;然后利用扩张状态观测器对目标机动加速度信息进行估计,并对零控脱靶量算法进行分析,提出了制导律的设计思路;接着利用滑模变结构控制理论进行制导律的推导;最后进行仿真分析,仿真结果证明,所设计的制导律能够很好地对目标弹进行拦截,并且指令的跟踪效果也很好,从而验证了算法的有效性.     

基于变结构方法的空空导弹鲁棒逆控制律设计

为克服动态逆控制严重依赖被控对象精确数学模型且鲁棒性较差的缺点,将动态逆与变结构方法相结合采用双环结构设计了空空导弹鲁棒动态逆控制律.将导弹飞行状态划分成快慢2个回路,慢回路(外环)采用变结构控制,并设计扩张状态观测器,对外环中的不确定性进行估计;快回路(内环)采用动态逆控制.仿真结果表明,所设计的控制律具有较好的动态特性和鲁棒性能.