Distributed Systems
Draper brings a unique, control-theoretic
perspective to the solution of complex problems arising in large-scale
distributed systems, offering our sponsors timely, robust, near-optimal
solutions that are grounded firmly in control and decision theory.
We have leveraged our broad experience
in vehicle guidance, navigation, and control and autonomy successfully
to develop a suite of capabilities that address sensing, state
estimation, and closed-loop command and control for a spectrum
of large-scale distributed systems, including battle management
for joint military operations, large-scale ground- and space-based
sensor networks, system-wide rail and air traffic flow control,
and nationwide logistic systems.
Draper has developed the novel system
architectures, optimization methods, and computational strategies
needed to close complex decision loops in real time, thereby giving
our sponsors information dominance on the battlefield as well
as in the marketplace. We have created the capability to achieve
system-wide objectives efficiently and effectively through optimal
planning, scheduling, and allocating of resources for the activities
of the many disparate elements of a large-scale enterprise. This
includes employment of sensors (theater, tactical, and organic)
to collect information to improve situation awareness and management
of communications networks to support collection, analysis, planning,
and dissemination.
These coupled problems are best solved
as an integrated whole in real time since acting on stale information
can result in ineffective and inefficient use of resources. The
associated delayed response can result in lost opportunities.
Based on hierarchical problem decomposition and novel, efficient
optimization techniques, we have made advances in both the formulation
of large-scale optimization problems and their solution. These
advances allow us to generate good solutions rapidly, while capitalizing
on high rate enterprise state updates.
A large-scale probabilistic model
that fuses enterprise-wide feedback data/information to improve
estimates of enterprise state has been designed to complement
planning, scheduling, and resource allocation algorithms. We have
developed solutions to determine how, when, and to whom, within
the enterprise, to disseminate state information.
To ensure the integrity and security
of the stored and transmitted information, we have developed secure
and intrusion-tolerant information assurance technologies that
address awareness, access, dissemination, and query. The heterogeneous
networking and communications employed by large-scale enterprises
are addressed as elements of the integrated problem, as each supports
both the planning and the execution of plans.
Draper has invested in emerging networking
technologies, including energy- and location-aware mobile ad hoc
networks, and in a spectrum of physical layer technologies, including
802.11, Bluetooth, underwater acoustic, optical, and satellite
communications.
Finally, we have begun to address
issues related to rapid integration of the best that both the
human operator and the computer offer toward devising and executing
a solution, enabling its implementation by the system in real
time. By identifying and solving these challenging problems, Draper
is expanding the capability of distributed systems technology.
Facilities
- C4I
Laboratory
- Information
security test facility
- Ad Hoc Networking
Laboratory
Applications
- Air operations
planning and control
- Integrated information,
surveillance, and reconnaissance and strike operations planning
- Global military
logistics
- Collaborative
en route and arrival/departure air transportation planning
- Fault- and intrusion-tolerant
information assurance
- Market-based allocation
of shared sensor resources
Technologies / Capabilities
- Sensing, estimation,
and situation assessment
- Command and
control
- Large-scale
probabilistic models
- Information
assurance and security
- Hierarchical
problem decomposition and large-scale optimization techniques
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