基于自适应Agent仿真的系统可靠性预计方法

建立了基于自适应Agent的系统仿真模型的3层体系结构,设计了3类Agent对象:环境仿真Agent、系统仿真Agent和单元仿真Agent,分别模拟了环境、系统对象和基本工作单元,建立了考虑任务环境影响因素、由若干Agent组成的系统可靠性仿真模型,是对系统可靠性预计方法的新探索.     

基于点云配准的室内移动机器人6自由度位姿估计

针对移动机器人在室内环境下难以获取GPS定位信息,仅靠自身惯导不能得到精确位姿的问题,提出了一种基于RGB-D传感器获取三维环境点云,对连续点云提取特征并进行配准的移动机器人6自由度位姿估计方法.首先通过RGB-D传感器获取环境深度图像,根据特征提取算法提取点云特征;然后以特征点为配准点,运用随机一致性采样(RANdom SAmple Consensus,RANSAC)算法对点云进行初配准,剔除部分错误匹配点,获得初始变换矩阵;最后采用改进的迭代最近点(Iterative Closet Point,ICP)算法进行精配准,获得点云间的最终变换矩阵,实现位姿估计.实验结果表明:该方法有效地提高了大规模点云配准效率,得到了较精确的位姿估计信息.     

Improved bounds for batch scheduling with nonidentical job sizes

Here, we revisit the bounded batch scheduling problem with nonidentical job sizes on single and parallel identical machines, with the objective of minimizing the makespan. For the single machine case, we present an algorithm which calls an online algorithm (chosen arbitrarily) for the one‐dimensional bin‐packing problem as a sub‐procedure, and prove that its worst‐case ratio is the same as the absolute performance ratio of . Hence, there exists an algorithm with worst‐case ratio , which is better than any known upper bound on this problem. For the parallel machines case, we prove that there does not exist any polynomial‐time algorithm with worst‐case ratio smaller than 2 unless P = NP, even if all jobs have unit processing time. Then we present an algorithm with worst‐case ratio arbitrarily close to 2. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 61: 351–358, 2014     

End effects in capacity expansion models with finite horizons

Capacity expansion models are typically formulated in the context of some finite horizon. Because the firm lasts longer than the horizon, a bias can enter into the optimal solution from the model horizon chosen. Recently, Grinold [8] has proposed a “dual-equilibrium method” for ameliorating possible distortions. Although the dual-equilibrium method has superior analytical properties to other methods, it is conceptually more complex. In this paper it is shown that there are situations where the “primal-equilibrium” approach of Manne [15] provides equivalent results and that the use of annualized capital costs in the objective function, although somewhat less efficient, results in a similar model.     

Quality control and the sales process

Product quality is emerging as a major strategic instrument for competition. The purpose of this article is to assess the effects of quality control on sales, and, vice versa, the effects of the sales process on quality control. A model relating quality control and the sales process (advertising, repeat purchase, and word-of-mouth effects) is developed to evaluate the above relationships. Two special cases, with degenerate and beta distribution for defect items in the production lot, are analyzed in detail. In the former case, analytical results for the optimal quality control schemes are obtained, whereas in the latter, efficient bounds are derived to search for the optimal scheme. It is shown, analytically and numerically, that the sales parameters have significant impact on whether more “stringent” or “tighter” quality control is warranted. Future research directions are also discussed.     

An M/M/1 queue with a general bulk service rule

A model of an M/M/1, bulk queue with service rates dependent on the batch size is developed. The operational policy is to commence service when at least L customers are available with a maximum batch size of K. Arriving customers are not allowed to join in-process service. The solution procedure utilizes the matrix geometric methodology and reduces to obtaining the inverse of a square matrix of dimension K + 1 - L. For the case where the service rates are not batch size dependent, the limiting probabilities can be written in closed form. A numerical example illustrates the variability of the system cost as a function of the minimum batch service size L.     

Landmarks in defense literature

Military Leadership: In Pursuit of Excellence: edited by Robert L. Taylor and William E. Rosenbach. Westview Press, Boulder, Colorado, 253 pp. 1984.