On efficient algorithms for finding efficient salvo policies

We consider the salvo policy problem, in which there are k moments, called salvos, at which we can fire multiple missiles simultaneously at an incoming object. Each salvo is characterized by a probability p_i: the hit probability of a single missile. After each salvo, we can assess whether the incoming object is still active. If it is, we fire the missiles assigned to the next salvo. In the salvo policy problem, the goal is to assign at most n missiles to salvos in order to minimize the expected number of missiles used. We consider three problem versions. In Gould's version, we have to assign all n missiles to salvos. In the Big Bomb version, a cost of B is incurred when all salvo's are unsuccessful. Finally, we consider the Quota version in which the kill probability should exceed some quota Q. We discuss the computational complexity and the approximability of these problem versions. In particular, we show that Gould's version and the Big Bomb version admit pseudopolynomial time exact algorithms and fully polynomial time approximation schemes. We also present an iterative approximation algorithm for the Quota version, and show that a related problem is NP-complete.     

Application of Markov renewal theory and semi-Markov decision processes in maintenance modeling and optimization of multi-unit systems

In this paper, a condition-based maintenance model for a multi-unit production system is proposed and analyzed using Markov renewal theory. The units of the system are subject to gradual deterioration, and the gradual deterioration process of each unit is described by a three-state continuous time homogeneous Markov chain with two working states and a failure state. The production rate of the system is influenced by the deterioration process and the demand is constant. The states of the units are observable through regular inspections and the decision to perform maintenance depends on the number of units in each state. The objective is to obtain the steady-state characteristics and the formula for the long-run average cost for the controlled system. The optimal policy is obtained using a dynamic programming algorithm. The result is validated using a semi-Markov decision process formulation and the policy iteration algorithm. Moreover, an analytical expression is obtained for the calculation of the mean time to initiate maintenance using the first passage time theory.     

基于在线学习的频谱感知次序策略*

认知无线电允许次级用户在频谱没有被主用户使用时动态地接入频谱进行数据传输。动态频谱接入是解决无线电频谱资源短缺和使用效率低下问题的有效方案,而频谱感知是实现动态频谱接入的关键挑战之一。次级用户的感知能力有限,为了快速找到频谱空闲概率最大的频段从而获得更多的频谱接入机会,研究了频谱感知次序问题。考虑到频谱空闲概率会随时间变化且对次级用户不可知,提出了一个在线学习框架,把频谱感知次序问题规约成经典多摇臂赌博机问题,并利用在线学习方法——满意折现汤普森抽样算法(satisficing discounted Thompson sampling)处理优化问题。仿真结果表明,和其他算法相比,所提算法可获得更多的频谱接入机会并且能够跟踪频谱空闲概率的变化。     

Military Spending,Conflict and External Debt in Sub-Saharan Africa

The damaging economic effects of the debt crises on Africa in the late 1980s encouraged considerable research on the determinants of external debt in developing economies. Although sub-Saharan Africa's (SSA) debt was cut by two-thirds by 2008, through two debt relief programmes, debt in the region has since been rising at an increasingly rapid pace. This study provides an empirical analysis of the determinants of external debt in SSA over the period 1960–2016, using dynamic panel methods. It also considers two potentially important factors that have received relatively little attention. One is military spending, rarely considered, despite a number of well-publicised scandals over the procurement of unnecessary and expensive high-tech weapons systems. A second, is the possibility that the countries studied have been involved in conflict. The empirical results point to a positive impact of military spending on external debt, but with some evidence of heterogeneity across the countries. Furthermore, findings indicate that the positive effect of military expenditure on debt becomes more marked in countries that have been affected by conflict. These results imply that policies to improve security and reduce military spending could be beneficial in reducing external debt and, potentially, improving economic performance in the region.     

Dynamic institutionalization: the foundations of Japan’s radioactive problem

Many have suggested that the true purpose behind Japan’s development of a closed nuclear-fuel cycle is to maintain the technical potential to develop nuclear weapons. However, closer examination of the development of Japan’s nuclear industry shows that, although Japan possesses advanced nuclear technologies, there has been no deliberate strategy to create a nuclear-weapon option. There is no “nuclear hedge.” To illustrate this point, this article presents a framework called “dynamic institutionalization” to explain the origins of Japan’s nuclear policies and the different sets of institutionalized pressures and constraints that have perpetuated these policies over time. Japan’s continued development of closed fuel-cycle technologies is primarily driven by domestic politics and the lack of a permanent spent-fuel management solution. On the other hand, Japan’s institutionalized nuclear forbearance is driven by the calculation that, as long as US extended deterrence remains credible, Japan’s security is best guaranteed through reliance on the US nuclear umbrella. By analytically untangling the policy of closed fuel-cycle development from the rationale for nuclear forbearance, this article provides a more nuanced view of the relationships between the domestic and international variables shaping Japan’s nuclear policies.     

非均匀湍流场中螺旋桨噪声研究

针对螺旋桨在湍流中的非定常噪声问题,在均匀湍流下螺旋桨宽频噪声相关性法的基础上,推导了非均匀湍流下螺旋桨宽频噪声的公式。在均匀湍流的研究中使用了十桨叶螺旋桨模型,并将计算结果与试验数据进行了对比,发现吻合较好。对于非均匀湍流中的问题,研究发现湍流的不均匀程度不会对宽频谱波峰的位置产生影响,噪声谱波峰的位置仍然取决于叶频,湍流的不均匀程度只会改变叶频处的波峰高度。最后研究了均匀湍流和非均匀湍流中侧斜角对螺旋桨噪声的影响,发现桨叶侧斜角的存在会降低螺旋桨在湍流中受到的宽频噪声。     

满足大动压模拟要求的试验弹道优化设计

为了解决弹道导弹在高海拔发射场进行飞行试验时的大动压检验问题,提出一种模拟大动压条件的试验弹道设计方法。针对发射场的实际特点,建立残骸再入的动力学模型与落区边界模型;将大动压模拟条件转化为过程约束,提出一种主动段联合优化策略。基于自适应模拟退火算法,分别设计了三组满足不同大动压模拟条件和各项约束的试验弹道,并给出了对应的落区调整方案,验证了该方法的可行性。设计结果表明,最大动压主要出现在一级,一级最大负攻角增加,则最大动压也明显提高;同时调整发射方位角和二、三级程序角可以保证试验弹道满足弹头落点约束条件。     

掠飞末敏弹耦合运动动导数计算

以新型掠飞末敏弹为研究对象,提出了基于欧拉转动定理和滑移网格技术的复杂角运动模拟方法,利用著名的罗德里格斯转换矩阵插值求得弹箭在每个时间步的角速度修正值,并指定给球形滑移网格区。通过对非定常气动参数进行求解辨识,分析了不同马赫数下掠飞末敏弹滚转运动对其俯仰组合动导数和升力系数动导数的影响规律。结果表明:所提角运动模拟方法可有效消除姿态角计算的累积误差,实现对弹箭任意给定角运动的准确模拟;弹箭滚转运动对俯仰组合导数和升力系数动导数的辨识结果均存在显著影响,在进行弹箭动导数计算和稳定性分析时需充分考虑俯仰耦合效应的影响。     

基于DDS的虚拟信号发生器LabVIEW程序设计

针对传统信号发生器存在的成本高、功能单一、电子线路复杂等缺点,设计了一种基于频率合成技术的虚拟任意信号发生器。通过动态链接库(DLL)与下位机设备DDS-3X25进行通信,基于"模块化"和事件结构的设计思想,用LabVIEW编程实现了基本波形、任意波形、噪声叠加、波形数据载入、波形数据量化转换和线性插值等程序模块。实验结果表明,该设计不仅能产生纯净和叠加噪声的正弦波、方波、三角波和锯齿波等基本波形,而且可以输出手绘的任意波形,验证了设计的有效性。     

弹道导弹威胁估计模型构建

简要分析了弹道导弹飞行3个阶段的不同特点及各阶段导弹预警探测手段的侧重点,结合威胁估计的特征构建了弹道导弹威胁估计模型结构框架,运用多阶段贝叶斯网络理论,构造了主动段、自由段和再入段威胁估计模型,并明确了三阶段间的转换时机。采用动态贝叶斯方法对弹道导弹作战全过程进行威胁估计仿真推理,仿真结果能够反映导弹在飞行过程中威胁程度的变化特点,为反导指挥员作出辅助决策提供智力支持。