Integration of Communication and Control for Delay-Sensitive

Abundance of cheap embedded units equipped with sensing, processing, communication & actuation capabilities has created considerable interest in sensor network applications. In order to solve the fundamental problems underlying these systems, multi disciplinary approaches are required that can integrate between different fields such as sensing, communication, estimation and control. In this talk we develop new theoretical foundations for mobile sensor networks running real-time applications with the aim of integrating communication and estimation/control. On the communication side, we will show that the communication protocols and designs suitable for other already-existing applications like data networks may not be entirely applicable for estimation and control of a rapidly changing dynamical system. Then we develop new design theories to improve the performance and stability of these systems. For instance, we examine the role of a cross-layer feedback and will see how the optimum design should provide a
balance between information loss and communication noise in the absence of such a feedback. On the control side, we will look at decentralized control of sensor trajectories and will show the need for new approaches when considering imperfect communication links. To address this, we provide new design strategies that would consider the trade-offs between sensing and communication.
Yasamin Mostofi is a postdoctoral scholar in the department of Electrical Engineering at California Institute of Technology. She received her Bachelor in Electrical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology in 1997. She then received her MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 1999 and 2003. Her research areas of interest include sensor networks, communications and control and dynamical systems.