Dielectric Materials and Electrostatics

An introduction to the physics of electrical insulation, this book presents the physical foundations of this discipline and the resulting applications. It is structured in two parts. The first part presents a mathematical and intuitive approach to dielectrics; various concepts, including polarization, induction, forces and losses are discussed. The second part provides readers with the keys to u...

Proportionate-type Normalized Least Mean Square Algorithms

FOCUS Series in Digital Signal and Image Processing

The topic of this book is proportionate-type normalized least mean square (PtNLMS) adaptive filtering algorithms, which attempt to estimate an unknown impulse response by adaptively giving gains proportionate to an estimate of the impulse response and the current measured error. These algorithms offer low computational complexity and fast convergence times for sparse impulse responses in network a...

Modeling and Optimization of Air Traffic

This book combines the research activities of the authors, both of whom are researchers at Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (French National School of Civil Aviation), and presents their findings from the last 15 years. Their work uses air transport as its focal point, within the realm of mathematical optimization, looking at real-life problems and theoretical models in tandem, and the challen...

Algorithms and Ordering Heuristics for Distributed Constraint Satisfaction Problems

FOCUS Series in Computer Science and Information Technology

DisCSP (Distributed Constraint Satisfaction Problem) is a general framework for solving distributed problems arising in Distributed Artificial Intelligence. A wide variety of problems in artificial intelligence are solved using the constraint satisfaction problem paradigm. However, there are several applications in multi-agent coordination that are of a distributed nature. In this type of applicat...

Man–Machine Dialogue

Design and Challenges

This book summarizes the main problems posed by the design of a man–machine dialogue system and offers ideas on how to continue along the path towards efficient, realistic and fluid communication between humans and machines. A culmination of ten years of research, it is based on the author’s development, investigation and experimentation covering a multitude of fields, including artificial intell...

Management and Engineering Innovation

This book discusses management and engineering innovation with a particular emphasis on human resource management (HRM) and production engineering. In an innovation context, the disciplines of management and engineering are linked to promote sustainable development, seeking cultural and geographical diversity in the studies of HRM and engineering, applications that can have a particular impact on ...

Synchronous Ethernet and IEEE 1588 in Telecoms

Next Generation Synchronization Networks

This book addresses the multiple technical aspects of the distribution of synchronization in new generation telecommunication networks, focusing in particular on synchronous Ethernet and IEEE1588 technologies. Many packet network engineers struggle with understanding the challenges that precise synchronization distribution can impose on networks. The usual “why”, “when” and particularly “how” can...

Vehicular Networks

Models and Algorithms

Over the last few years vehicular networks have been receiving a lot of attention from academia, industry, standardization bodies, and the various transportation agencies and departments of many governments around the world. It is envisaged in the next decade that the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) will become an essential part of our daily life. This book describes models and/or algorith...

Set-theoretic Fault-tolerant Control in Multisensor Systems

Fault-tolerant control theory is a well-studied topic but the use of the sets in detection, isolation and/or reconfiguration is rather tangential.
The authors of this book propose a systematic analysis of the set-theoretic elements and devise approaches which exploit advanced elements within the field. The main idea is to translate fault detection and isolation conditions into those conditions i...

Loop-shaping Robust Control

The loop-shaping approach consists of obtaining a specification in relation to the open loop of the control from specifications regarding various closed loop transfers, because it is easier to work on a single transfer (in addition to the open loop) than on a multitude of transfers (various loopings such as set point/error, disturbance/error, disturbance/control, etc.). The simplicity and flexibil...