| Tuesday April 22, 2008 |
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To Know the Dependencies is
to Understand the Architecture
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Schedule
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| 5:00-5:30 |
Pizza and Mini-Presentation |
| 5:30:6:45 |
Main Presentation |
| 6:45-7:00 |
Q&A |
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Abstract
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Learn a new and highly scalable approach that utilizes inter-module dependencies to represent and visualize the architecture of software systems. A Dependency Structure Matrix (DSM) is used to map not just individual applications but also how they relate to databases, services and other elements of the enterprise. You will learn how to use a DSM to identify architectural patterns and weaknesses, track architectural evolution, plan for refactoring and see how the impact of change propagates within a system. We will use real examples of Java applications to show how architecture evolves and often erodes over time.
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If there is interest, we will apply this approach to a system that is provided by somebody in the audience. If you are interested in examining your system, please bring your jar files for analysis on a memory stick. You should have an overall understanding of the architecture of your system so you can provide the critical input to interpret and transform the DSM. For best results, bring something large and complex!
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Presenter
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| Neeraj Sangal is President and CTO of Lattix, a company specializing in Software Architecture Management solutions and services. He has analyzed the architecture of many large software systems. Over the last few years, Neeraj has pioneered the use of Dependency Structure Matrix (DSM) in software architecture. This new approach utilizes dependencies for the creation of highly scalable models that permit a precise specification and enforcement of the architecture. Prior to Lattix, Neeraj was President of Tendril Software, a leader in model-driven development and synchronized UML™ models. Tendril was acquired by BEA/WebGain. Prior to Tendril, Neeraj managed a distributed development organization at HP. Neeraj is a regular speaker at technical conferences, user groups and industry events. |
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| Tuesday March 4, 2008 |
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Software Control of a Video and Sensor Equipped Smart Robotic Arm for Checkpoint Vehicle Inspection
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| Thanks to Joe for his presentation on robotics and Java! |
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Abstract
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| At a regular monthly meeting of the Connecticut Java Users Group on Tuesday, March 4, Joe Bosworth will present an overview of Smart Robot's use of Java, LINUX, Apache, XML, and My*SQL in the programming and operation of their SR4 mobile robot, including the applicability of this same software in driving the new VisionArm(TM) robotic arm that the company has designed, prototyped and is readying for manufacturing. A preview will also be presented of the upcoming presentation on the VisionArm(TM) to be given at the SPIE Defense and Security conference in Orlando, Florida. |
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This presentation discusses the software of a checkpoint surveillance system currently in development – focusing particularly on inverse-kinematics and the special trajectory and “corridor” control needs of a device performing this task. Included also is the coordination of the close-to-the-ground base vehicle control with the robotic arm control and the methods for adding a vertical elevation control for both outside and inside-the-target-vehicle work as well. A work-envelope map of a typical target vehicle is illustrated and task solutions and principles presented which enable a high level of surveillance and analysis coverage of the vehicle – correlated to the hardware and software components of each segment of the operation.
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There are many activities going on all at once during the surveillance sweep of a vehicle; arm motion control, camera control, stabilizer control (arm-base platform), real-time chemical analysis of more than one chemical, pressure-touch sensing, real-time video image analysis (automated and manual), audio capture, arm “skin” contact detection and response (automatic and manual) and mission fulfillment tracking. All of these activities must be and are easily accessible for control and monitoring from a simple uncluttered operational dashboard.
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By way of semi-automated capability, the software behind this smart arm application is designed to support the “spotting” of areas-of-interest in the arm camera’s video image in real time via stereo laser beams and then by the click of a mouse to direct the arm to approach that area by an increment of the distance to the area – e.g. one-half the distance – to be in a position to change a perspective view, to acquire further chemical readings and/or to execute a remove-tarp-cover operation, etc. Similarly the arm can automatically pull back from an area – the reverse of the spot-and-close operation – along the trajectory it just came.
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Presentation will cover:
- SR4 Robot
- VisionArm™
- vehicle inspection application in a broader presentation more focused on Java and Flex
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Presenter
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| Joe Bosworth organized with others to establish the National Personal Robot Association (NPRA) in the early 1980’s and was its first Chairman. He also chaired the first International Personal Robot Congress (IPRC) held in Albuquerque in 1984, keynoted by Isaac Asimov and Joseph Engelberger. He served as chairman of the military/civilian Robotics Subcommittee of the Reliability and Maintainability Study for materiel readiness for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) with the Institute for Defense Analysis (IDA). Joe is currently CEO of Smart Robots, Inc., in Dalton, Massachusetts. |
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Company
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| Smart Robots is a development stage company which has been focusing these past two years on the development of the VisionArm™; a relatively light, but long reach commercial level robotic arm which eventually will employ vision recognition and vision guidance technology in its performance of tasks. Initial applications for the arm are expected to involve remote operator control. You can view a video of the company’s other product area, the SR4 mobile robot, at http://www.smartrobots.com/videos/smart_robots.wmv [that’s an underscore between “smart” and “robots”]. |
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