CPS: Frontier: Computation-Aware Algorithmic Design for Cyber-Physical Systems

This project explores a new vision of cyber-physical systems (CPSs) in which computing power and control methods are jointly considered. The approach is carried out through exploration of new theories for the modeling, analysis, and design of CPSs that operate under computational constraints. The tight coupling between computation, communication, and control pervades the design and application of CPSs. Due to the complexity of such systems, advanced design procedures that cope with the variability and uncertainty introduced by computing resources are mandatory, though the design choices are across many disciplines, which may result in over-design of a system. The project will have significant impact through the reduction in design and development time for complex cyber-physical systems including ground, air, and maritime vehicles.

The broader impacts of this project stem from the potential to enable a new generation of transportation systems that improve the reliability and security of autonomous systems. The research in this project significantly addresses the growing carbon footprint challenge through efficiencies in computational CPS infrastructure, optimization of routes, and by increasing the utilization of autonomous systems. Industry partners may deploy enhanced safety and performance innovations on legacy vehicles, diversify hardware applications, and expand future technologies. Additional efforts in mentoring and undergraduate research are focused on Broadening Participation in Computing, with the goal to empower a new generation of researchers who are passionate to have impact on a societal scale.

This is collaborative research with:

• Ricardo G. Sanfelice (PI, University of California, Santa Cruz)
• Murat Arcak (University of California, Berkeley)
• Linh Thi Xuan Phan (University of Pennsylvania)
• Heiner Litz (University of California, Santa Cruz)
• Abhishek Halder (University of California, Santa Cruz)
• Majid Zamani (University of Colorado Boulder)
• Jonathan Sprinkle (Vanderbilt University)

This work is supported by the National Science Foundation under award CNS-2111688. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.