A Tale of Two Worlds: Cyber Meets Physical

In cyber-physical systems (CPS) computing, networking and control (typically regarded as the "cyber" part of the system) are tightly intertwined with mechanical, electrical, thermal, chemical or biological processes (the "physical" part). The increasing sophistication and heterogeneity of these systems requires radical changes in the way sense-and-control platforms are designed to regulate them.

In this presentation, I highlight some of the design challenges due to the complexity and heterogeneity of CPS. I argue that such challenges can be addressed by leveraging concepts that have been instrumental in fostering electronic design automation while dealing with complexity in VLSI system design. Based on these concepts, I introduce a design methodology whereby platform-based design is combined with assume-guarantee contracts to formalize the design process and enable realization of CPS architectures and control software in a hierarchical and compositional manner. I conclude my presentation with a view of where CPS are headed: bio-cyberphysical systems and swarm systems.

Speaker: Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli, UC Berkeley

Room: Packard Auditorium