Coordinate scheduling approach for EDS observation tasks and data transmission jobs

Electromagnetic detection satellite（EDS） is a type of Earth observation satellite（EOS）. Satellites observation and data down-link scheduling plays a significant role in improving the efficiency of satellite observation systems. However, the current works mainly focus on the scheduling of imaging satellites, little work focuses on the scheduling of EDSes for its specific requirements.And current works mainly schedule satellite resources and data down-link resources separately, not considering them in a globally optimal perspective. The EDSes and data down-link resources are scheduled in an integrated process and the scheduling result is searched globally. Considering the specific constraints of EDS, a coordinate scheduling model for EDS observation tasks and data transmission jobs is established and an algorithm based on the genetic algorithm is proposed. Furthermore, the convergence of our algorithm is proved. To deal with some specific constraints, a solution repairing algorithm of polynomial computing time is designed. Finally, some experiments are conducted to validate the correctness and practicability of our scheduling algorithms.

Thermal segregation of asphalt material in road repair

This paper presents results from a field study of asphaltic pavement patching operations performed by three different contractors working in a total of ten sites. It forms part of an ongoing research programme towards improving the performance of pothole repairs. Thermal imaging technology was used to record temperatures of the patching material throughout the entire exercise, from the stage of material collection, through transportation to repair site, patch forming, and compaction. Practical complications occurring during patch repairs were also identified. It was found that depending on the weather conditions, duration of the travel and poor insulation of the transported hot asphalt mix, its temperature can drop as high as 116.6 ℃ over the period that the reinstatement team travel to the site and prepare the patch. This impacting is on the durability and perfor- mance of the executed repairs. Cold spots on the asphalt mat and temperature differentials between the new hot-fill asphalt mix and existing pavement were also identified as poorly compacted areas that were prone to premature failure. For example, over the five-minute period, the temperature at one point reduced by 33% whereas the temperatures of nearby areas decreased by 65% and 71%. A return visit to the repair sites, three months later, revealed that locations where thermal segregation was noted, during the patching opera- tion, had failed prematurely.