Trustworthy operation of industrial control systems depends on secure and real-time code execution on the embedded programmable logic controllers (PLCs). The controllers monitor and control the critical infrastructures, such as electric power grids and healthcare platforms, and continuously report back the system status to human operators. We present Zeus, a contactless embedded controller security monitor to ensure its execution control flow integrity. Zeus leverages the electromagnetic emission by the PLC circuitry during the execution of the controller programs.

The VISualization of Terrestrial and Aquatic Systems (VISTAS) team, an NSF/BIO/ABI-funded collaboration among environmental-, computer-, and social-scientists, has integrated new technologies and computer science research into terrain visualization software for environmental scientists.  The system allows scientists to overlay 2D data

This research team envisions that connected testbeds, i.e., remotely accessible testbeds integrated over a network in closed loop, will provide an affordable, repeatable, scalable, and high-fidelity solution for early cyber-physical evaluation of connected automated vehicle (CAV) technologies. Engineering testbeds are critical for empirical validation of new concepts and transitioning new theory to practice. However, the high cost of establishing new testbeds or scaling the existing ones up hinders their wide utilization.

Computer modeling and simulation for medical device evaluation has been pursued as a means for reducing the cost and scope of clinical trials while minimizing the risk of unforeseen adverse outcomes. Advances in computational technologies and algorithms have further enabled analysis with complex and realistic Bayesian models to be applied to clinical trials.

The objective of this work is to generate new fundamental science that enables the operation of cyber-physical systems through complex environments. Predicting how a system will behave in the future requires more computing power if that system is complex. Navigating through environments with many obstacles could require significant computing time, which may delay the issue of decisions that have to be made by the on-board algorithms. Fortunately, systems do not always need the most accurate model to predict their behavior.

This poster elaborates the results of two papers: “Event-triggered stabilization over digital channels of linear systems with disturbances,” and “Authentication of cyber-physical systems under learning-based attacks.” 

This research project aims to develop a comprehensive analytical foundation for designing green buildings. In particular, the PIs focused on three interrelated thrust areas: (i) Integrated energy management for a single-building, where the goal is to jointly consider the complex interactions among building subsystems. The PIs developed novel control schemes that opportunistically exploit the energy demand elasticity of the building subsystems and adapt to occupancy patterns, human comfort zones, and ambient environments.

Abstract: Airborne networking utilizes direct flight-to-to-flight communication for flexible information sharing, safe maneuvering, and coordination of time-critical missions. It is challenging because of the high mobility, stringent safety requirements, and uncertain airspace environment. This project uses a co-design approach that exploits the mutual benefits of networking and decentralized mobility control in an uncertain heterogeneous environment.

Abstract: Machining is a fundamental processing capability critical to production of end-user goods and systems, as well as components used in virtually every industrial process. Machine tool programming to support these processes is critical for production and cost estimation. Unfortunately, currently available automated process planning methods constrain the process along geometrically simple trajectories due to computational constraints, this at the sacrifice of final processing efficiency.