Abstract: A scale free communication network in a power network is provided. The scale free communication network comprises a plurality of distribution devices communicatively coupled to each other in a power network that include a protection device and a controller coupled to each of the plurality of distribution devices in the power network. The controller identifies a plurality of isolated distribution devices. The controller further restores the plurality of isolated distribution devices in the power network by automatically activating the tie-switch in the power network. The controller also computes reliability indicators for each of the restored distribution device in the power network. Furthermore, the controller identifies critical distribution devices in the power network based on the computed reliability indicators and establishes a scale free communications network within the power network based on the identified critical distribution devices.

Abstract: A self-organizing protection coordination system within a power network is provided. The self-organizing protection coordination system in the power network includes a plurality of distribution devices communicatively coupled to each other in a power network. The power network also includes a protection device coupled to each of the plurality of distribution devices configured to transmit power in the distribution network. The power network further includes a controller coupled to each of the plurality of distribution devices. The controller receives communication channel characteristics from a plurality of distribution devices in a distribution network at an interval of time. The controller also computes a delay in time for receiving the communication characteristics. The controller further determines a plurality of reliability indicators at each of the plurality of distribution devices.

Abstract: A control system for an electric power system is provided. The control system includes a wireless communication system for tracking one or more electric vehicles and receiving a battery charge data of said electric vehicles. The control system also includes a load sensor for sensing load of the electric power system. The control system further includes a controller for operating one or more protection elements based on the battery charge data of the electric vehicles and the load data of the electric power system.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a utility network threat based on the quality of communications received at devices in the utility network. The quality of a communication signal received by a device in the utility network is determined and a threat to the utility network is determined based on the signal quality. Threat information is output to devices on the utility network.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for electrical grid quantum key distribution. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for secure communications in an electrical power distribution network. Example embodiments of the method can include evaluating vulnerability of communications control nodes associated with the network; distributing quantum encryption keys to one or more of the communications control nodes based, at least in part, on the vulnerability of the communications control nodes; and communicating among distributed electronic devices associated with the network using the quantum encryption keys.

Abstract: A system and method of data communication for a power grid determines available wired and wireless modes of data transmission and the available routes in the available wired and wireless modes. A weight is allocated to each of the available route and a final route for communication is determined based on an objective function.

Abstract: A flood attack of an information system is simulated by injecting an algorithmically compressed flood attack model into the information system to assess the effect of the attack upon the system. The flood attack model propagates from node to node throughout the system by way of virtual messages that time-project the flood attack model and do not disrupt system operation while the simulated flood attack is taking place. Programs of executable code installed on nodes of the information system generate and send the virtual messages describing the flood attack.

Abstract: The present technique provides for the analysis of a data series to identify sequences of interest within the series. The analysis may be used to iteratively update a grammar used to analyze the data series or updated versions of the data series. Furthermore, the technique provides for the calculation of a minimum description length heuristic, such as a symbol compression ratio, for each sub-sequence of the analyzed data sequence. The technique may then compare a selected heuristic value against one or more reference conditions to determine if additional iteration is to be performed. The grammar and the data sequence may be updated between iterations to include a symbol representing a string corresponding to the selected heuristic value based upon a non-termination result of the comparison. Alternatively, the string corresponding to the selected heuristic value may be identified as a sequence of interest based upon a termination result of the comparison.

Abstract: A data compression system and method for achieving enhanced compression performance in a plurality of encoder-decoder pairs communicatively coupled in a concatenated chain is disclosed. The plurality of encoder-decoder pairs receive input data and transform the input data into compressed output data. The data compression system includes at least one quality estimator communicatively coupled to the concatenated chain to determine a plurality of quality metrics corresponding to an output from each of the plurality of encoder-decoder pairs. Further, the data compression system also includes a processing subsystem configured to optimize the operation of each of the plurality of encoder-decoder pairs based upon the plurality of quality metrics to achieve a desired level of optimization for the concatenated chain.

Abstract: A method of measuring healing strength of bone includes a bone fixation plate (14) implanted at the healing area between bone segments (12). The bone fixation plate (14) includes high aspect ratio material with electric current conduction properties responsive to strain. This method causes an induced, or directly applied, electric current to pass through the high aspect ratio material. Analysis of the change in this current by a series of increasing loads placed on the healing body part indicates what level of load produces strain on the bone fixation plate (14). As healing strength increases, evidence of strain on the bone fixation plate (14) occurs at a greater load. Physicians determine thereby the strength of bone healing and safe levels of activity for patients while bone healing progresses.

Abstract: A command sequence for an autonomous UAV mission is optimized by simulating the performance of a mission in a model environment. Using a genetic algorithm, neural net, or other suitable technique this command sequence is then optimized, to improve the outcome of the mission. A factor in selecting an optimal command sequence will be its compressability. A set of one or more optimal command sequences is compiled. Each optimal command sequence is encoded into an algorithmic active packet of minimum size for uploaded to the UAV, which then executes the mission. To track the UAV in its performance of the mission without compromising its location, the active packets are executed in the simulated environment. The simulated environment is continually updated with the most current available information. The simulation results are an approximation of the current state of the UAV.

Abstract: A flood attack of an information system is simulated by injecting an algorithmically compressed flood attack model into the information system to assess the effect of the attack upon the system. The flood attack model propagates from node to node throughout the system by way of virtual messages that time-project the flood attack model and do not disrupt system operation while the simulated flood attack is taking place. Programs of executable code installed on nodes of the information system generate and send the virtual messages describing the flood attack.

Abstract: The present technique provides for the analysis of a data series to identify sequences of interest within the series. The analysis may be used to iteratively update a grammar used to analyze the data series or updated versions of the data series. Furthermore, the technique provides for the calculation of a minimum description length heuristic, such as a symbol compression ratio, for each sub-sequence of the analyzed data sequence. The technique may then compare a selected heuristic value against one or more reference conditions to determine if additional iteration is to be performed. The grammar and the data sequence may be updated between iterations to include a symbol representing a string corresponding to the selected heuristic value based upon a non-termination result of the comparison. Alternatively, the string corresponding to the selected heuristic value may be identified as a sequence of interest based upon a termination result of the comparison.

Abstract: A system automatically and dynamically forms clusters from a plurality of boolean network nodes of a mobile wireless network. A primary node of the plurality of boolean network nodes detects adjacent nodes of the plurality of boolean network nodes. The primary node randomly selects a boolean state for the primary node. The primary node transmits the boolean state to the adjacent nodes. The primary node receives boolean states from the adjacent nodes. The primary node determines a next boolean state based on inputs from the adjacent nodes. The primary node records the next boolean state incrementally over time. The primary node determines whether the recorded next boolean states defines a cycle comprising all ones or all zeroes. The primary node is a clusterhead node if the recorded next boolean states comprise all ones or all zeroes.

Abstract: A communications network comprising at least one source unit is configured to generate messages for relay to a portal node through at least one smart node. The smart node includes a dynamic reprioritization controller capable of dynamically reprioritizing the relayed messages prior to relay transmission by a transmitter according to received programming instructions.

Abstract: A command sequence for an autonomous UAV mission is optimized by simulating the performance of a mission in a model environment. Using a genetic algorithm, neural net, or other suitable technique this command sequence is then optimized, to improve the outcome of the mission. A factor in selecting an optimal command sequence will be its compressability. A set of one or more optimal command sequences is compiled. Each optimal command sequence is encoded into an algorithmic active packet of minimum size for uploaded to the UAV, which then executes the mission. To track the UAV in its performance of the mission without compromising its location, the active packets are executed in the simulated environment. The simulated environment is continually updated with the most current available information. The simulation results are an approximation of the current state of the UAV.

Abstract: A dialog processing method and apparatus for uninhabited air vehicles is described. The apparatus contains a recognition unit for recognizing incoming data, an interpretation unit for interpreting the data according to a grammar and a response unit for generating an appropriate response to the incoming data. The method may utilize natural language processes and may reduce to a finite state machine. The incoming data is combined with uninhabited air vehicle state information to increase the accuracy of this interpretation. Additionally, the dialog states may be limited to customary air traffic control dialogs.

Abstract: A communications network comprises a plurality of nodes including at least one earth station and at least one spacecraft. The spacecraft node is an active node of the network. A method for dynamically configuring a spacecraft to function as a node of a communications network in accordance with the defacto active network reference and with an Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) reference model comprises the step of transmitting an object from an earth station to the spacecraft. The object comprises at least one method for configuring the spacecraft to include a node operating system (nodeOS) and at least one execution environment (EE).

Abstract: The invention provides a computer implemented tool for analyzing the brittleness of a system with respect to at least one system performance measure. The tool comprises a statistical analyzer configured to receive at least one operating parameter input, o, and to provide at least one performance function output, f. The performance function output f provides an indication of system performance as a function of system operating parameter input o. A brittleness analyzer is coupled to the performance function output and is configured to provide a brittleness output based upon the performance function output f.

Abstract: A dialog processing method and apparatus for uninhabited air vehicles is described. The apparatus contains a recognition unit for recognizing incoming data, an interpretation unit for interpreting the data according to a grammar and a response unit for generating an appropriate response to the incoming data. The method may utilize natural language processes and may reduce to a finite state machine. The incoming data is combined with uninhabited air vehicle state information to increase the accuracy of this interpretation. Additionally, the dialog states may be limited to customary air traffic control dialogs.