Yutaka Funyu

Development of artificial life based optimization system

Describes the computer middleware called the Hyper Artificial Life (HAL) optimization system, which is based on artificial life theories and which is effective for almost all kinds of combinatorial optimization problems in our actual world. This middleware aids the efficient development of parallel processing of an application program for combinatorial optimization problems by adopting a conventional evolution procedure. The application based on this middleware has high autonomy and high robustness, and improves its performance on a parallel computer. In this case, a supply-chain management (SCM) scheduling program, which is actually used by many users, has been applied to this middleware in parallel in order to verify and evaluate HAL. In its evaluation, we found we could obtain a remarkable improvement in the performance. This model has the characteristics of reproduction, mutation and genetics, and we found a rare phenomenon, considered as emergence in the actual result. This obviously transcends the concept of many conventional algorithms and their ability for optimization. Moreover, the model has a hyper-structure, which is why we named it the Hyper Artificial Life system.

Clayworks: Toward user-oriented software for collaborative modeling and simulation

We deal with the problem of developing a software system which integrates collaborative real-time modeling and distributed computing. The main challenge is user-orientation: we need a collaborative workspace for geographically dispersed users with a seamless access of every user to high-performance servers. Wedescribe a particular system, Clayworks, that allows modeling of virtual clay objects and running computation-intensive deformation simulations for objects crashing into each other. To integrate heterogeneous computational resources, we adopted modern Grid middleware and provided the users with an intuitive graphical interface. We parallelized the computation of simulations using a Higher-Order Component (HOC) which abstracts over the Globus Web service resource framework (WSRF) used to interconnect our worksuite to the computation server. Clayworks is a representative of a large class of demanding systems which combine collaborative, user-oriented modeling with performance-critical computations, e.g., crash-tests or simulations for biological population evolution.

A new concept and configuration method of life zone network

This paper proposes a new concept and configuration method of the LZN (life zone network) to make a new information environment in a life zone area. There, a new combined service of medical, welfare and delivery service is introduced. Here, a new service coordinator layer to coordinate several different services for a user is proposed. We discuss configuration methods of the LZN, which consists of three parts, a server, a network and a client. The required elemental function for each part is described. We discuss the services in a regional area and propose an ideal network configuration using CATV and a wireless network. Finally, we introduce an organization, which was established in 1999 to realize the concept of the LZN. Now, 31 members including 13 company members have joined and are working to develop the LZN and services.

Cable and wireless hybrid access networks for rural residential areas

This paper proposes cable and wireless hybrid access networks for residential areas. First, the service requirement for multimedia telecommunications in general rural residential areas in Japan is described. Next, we show an example of population distribution and required network services in a typical residential area. Then, we compare a hybrid access network with an all cable network and an all wireless network from the viewpoint of construction cost. Finally, applicable conditions of each access network are shown by calculated results. How to design the most economical access network is also discussed.

A modeling method and evaluation of divided-loop networks

This paper proposes a modeling method of divided-loop networks. First, traffic performance is compared by numerical simulation among straight networks, simple-loop networks and divided-loop networks. Next, a modeling method of divided-loop networks is proposed. Then, the reliability and construction cost of the networks are described and evaluated. Finally, total cost, including construction cost and damage cost by failure, is discussed. Applicable conditions of divided-loop networks are shown by calculated results.