Analysis of a POMDP Model for an Optimal Maintenance Problem with Multiple Imperfect Repairs

I consider a system whose deterioration follows a discrete-time and discrete-state Markov chain with an absorbing state. When the system is put into practice, I may select operation (wait), imperfect repair, or replacement at each discrete-time point. The true state of the system is not known when it is operated. Instead, the system is monitored after operation and some incomplete information concerned with the deterioration is obtained for decision making. Since there are multiple imperfect repairs, I can select one option from them when the imperfect repair is preferable to operation and replacement. To express this situation, I propose a POMDP model and theoretically investigate the structure of an optimal maintenance policy minimizing a total expected discounted cost for an unbounded horizon. Then two stochastic orders are used for the analysis of our problem.

Decision-making models on perceptual uncertainty with distributional reinforcement learning

Decision-making for autonomous vehicles in the presence of obstacle occlusions is difficult because the lack of accurate information affects the judgment.Existing methods may lead to overly conservative strategies and timeconsuming computations that cannot be balanced with efficiency.We propose to use distributional reinforcement learning to hedge the risk of strategies,optimize the worse cases,and improve the efficiency of the algorithm so that the agent learns better actions.A batch of smaller values is used to replace the average value to optimize the worse case,and combined with frame stacking,we call it Efficient-Fully parameterized Quantile Function(EFQF).This model is used to evaluate signal-free intersection crossing scenarios and makes more efficient moves and reduces the collision rate compared to conventional reinforcement learning algorithms in the presence of perceived occlusion.The model also has robustness in the case of data loss compared to the method with embedded long and short term memory.

Distributed cooperative task planning algorithm for multiple satellites in delayed communication environment

Multiple earth observing satellites need to communicate with each other to observe plenty of targets on the Earth together. The factors, such as external interference, result in satellite information interaction delays, which is unable to ensure the integrity and timeliness of the information on decision making for satellites. And the optimization of the planning result is affected. Therefore, the effect of communication delay is considered during the multi-satel ite coordinating process. For this problem, firstly, a distributed cooperative optimization problem for multiple satellites in the delayed communication environment is formulized. Secondly, based on both the analysis of the temporal sequence of tasks in a single satellite and the dynamically decoupled characteristics of the multi-satellite system, the environment information of multi-satellite distributed cooperative optimization is constructed on the basis of the directed acyclic graph（DAG）. Then, both a cooperative optimization decision making framework and a model are built according to the decentralized partial observable Markov decision process（DEC-POMDP）. After that, a satellite coordinating strategy aimed at different conditions of communication delay is mainly analyzed, and a unified processing strategy on communication delay is designed. An approximate cooperative optimization algorithm based on simulated annealing is proposed. Finally, the effectiveness and robustness of the method presented in this paper are verified via the simulation.

A version of Geiringer-like theorem for decision making in the environments with randomness and incomplete information

Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to establish a version of a theorem that originated from population genetics and has been later adopted in evolutionary computation theory that will lead to novel Monte-Carlo sampling algorithms that provably increase the AI potential.Design/methodology/approach-In the current paper the authors set up a mathematical framework,state and prove a version of a Geiringer-like theorem that is very well-suited for the development of Mote-Carlo sampling algorithms to cope with randomness and incomplete information to make decisions.Findings-This work establishes an important theoretical link between classical population genetics,evolutionary computation theory and model free reinforcement learning methodology.Not only may the theory explain the success of the currently existing Monte-Carlo tree sampling methodology,but it also leads to the development of novel Monte-Carlo sampling techniques guided by rigorous mathematical foundation.Practical implications-The theoretical foundations established in the current work provide guidance for the design of powerful Monte-Carlo sampling algorithms in model free reinforcement learning,to tackle numerous problems in computational intelligence.Originality/value-Establishing a Geiringer-like theorem with non-homologous recombination was a long-standing open problem in evolutionary computation theory.Apart from overcoming this challenge,in a mathematically elegant fashion and establishing a rather general and powerful version of the theorem,this work leads directly to the development of novel provably powerful algorithms for decision making in the environment involving randomness,hidden or incomplete information.

Admission Control with Elastic QoS for Video on Demand Systems

In network service systems, satisfying quality of service (QoS) is one of the main objectives. Admission control and resource allocation strategy can be used to guarantee the QoS requirement. Based on partially observable Markov decision processes (POMDPs), this paper proposes a novel admission control model for video on demand (VOD) service systems with elastic QoS. Elastic QoS is also considered in resource allocation strategy. Policy gradient algorithm is often available to find the solution of POMDP problems, with a satisfactory convergence rate. Through numerical examples, it can be shown that the proposed admission control strategy has better performance than complete admission control strategy.

Power Allocation Optimization of Multibeam High-Throughput Satellite Communication Systems

The increasing demands in terms of high data rate and quality of services over the hybrid satellite-terrestrial relay networks(HSTRN)have pushed for the development of millimeter-wave(mmWave)band high-throughput satellites(HTS)with multibeams.The next generation of mmWave multibeam HTS communication systems(HTSCS)is viewed as the backbone network to enhance the throughput of the HSTRN.The article first investigates the basic backbone topology architecture of HTSCS,and an M-state Markov channel for the Ka/Q/V band mmWave systems is reviewed.Then,we propose a long-term optimal power allocation scheme over two in-dependent and identical spot beams based on the partially observable Markov decision process(POMDP),which can partly mitigate the negative effects of severe weather conditions.The key conditions for selecting the optimal power allocation action in the multibeam HTSCS are given.Simulation results show that our POMDP-based power allocation scheme can enhance the long-term throughput of the HTSCS.

Partition sampling strategy for robot motion planning under uncertainty

In order to solve the sensing and motion uncertainty problem of motion planning in narrow passage environment,a partition sampling strategy based on partially observable Markov decision process(POMDP)was proposed.The method combines partition sampling strategy and can improve the success rate of the robot motion planning in the narrow passage.Firstly,the environment is divided into open area and narrow area by using a partition sampling strategy,and generates the initial trajectory of the robot with fewer sampling points.Secondly,the method can calculate a local optimal solution of the initial nominal trajectory by solving POMDP problem,and iterates an overall optimal trajectory of robot motion.The proposed method follows the general POMDP solution framework,in which the belief dynamics is approximated by an extended Kalman filter(EKF),and the value function is represented by an effective quadratic function in the belief space near the nominal trajectory.Using a belief space variant of iterative linear quadratic Gaussian(iLQG)to perform the value iteration,which results in a linear control policy over the belief space that is locally optimal around the nominal trajectory.A new nominal trajectory is generated by executing the control strategy iteration,and the process is repeated until it converges to a locally optimal solution.Finally,the robot gets the optimal trajectory to safely pass through a narrow passage.The experimental results show that the proposed method can efficiently improves the performance of motion planning under uncertainty.

Sequential degradation-based burn-in test with multiple periodic inspections

Bum-in has been proven effective in identifying and removing defective products before they are delivered to customers.Most existing bum-in models adopt a one-shot scheme,which may not be sufficient enough for identification.Borrowing the idea from sequential inspections for remaining useful life prediction and accelerated lifetime test,this study proposes a sequential degradation-based bum-in model with multiple periodic inspections.At each inspection epoch,the posterior probability that a product belongs to a normal one is updated with the inspected degradation level.Based on the degradation level and the updated posterior probability,a product can be disposed,put into field use,or kept in the test till the next inspection epoch.We cast the problem into a partially observed Markov decision process to minimize the expected total bum-in cost of a product,and derive some interesting structures of the optimal policy.Then,algorithms are provided to find the joint optimal inspection period and number of inspections in steps.A numerical study is also provided to illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed model.