i++ School Newsletter

Week commencing 10 November 2008

Previous Newsletters

New on-line video available about PHOSPHORUS FP6 IST Project

Lead by Prof. Dimitra Simeonidou, the Future Networks group in the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering is a key partner in the EU-funded PHOSPHORUS project, which is developing new hardware and software environments to support high-performance scientific applications through state-of-the-art optical networks.  An on-line video is available which provides further information about the project. 

PHOSPHORUS is motivated by the new generation of scientific applications that is emerging, that couple scientific instruments, data and high-end computing resources distributed on a global scale.  Developed by collaborative, virtual communities, many of these applications have requirements such as determinism (for example, guaranteed Quality of Service), shared data spaces, large data transfers, that are often achievable only through dedicated optical bandwidth.   High capacity optical networking can satisfy bandwidth and latency requirements, but software tools and frameworks for end-to-end, on-demand provisioning of network services need to be developed in coordination with other resources (CPU and storage) and need to span multiple administrative and network technology domains. 

In response to these requirements, the PHOSPHORUS project is addressing some of the key technical challenges to enable on-demand end-to-end network services across multiple domains.  The PHOSPHORUS network concept and test-bed make applications aware of their complete Grid resources (computational and networking) environment and capabilities, and make dynamic, adaptive and optimized use of heterogeneous network infrastructures connecting various high-end resources.

PhD Awarded

Stephen Dignum passed his PhD with minor corrections on 3 November.

He submitted the PhD within three years, and during the course of his study had seven conference/workshop papers published, two best paper awards and four best paper nominations. His supervisor was Professor Poli.

Stephen is about to start work as a Senior Research Officer on the AutoAdapt project with Dr Kruschwitz and Dr Fasli at the University of Essex.

Staff News

Dr Richard Bartle

Professor Richard Bartle has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Its full name is the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, which explains how a Computer Scientist can become a fellow.

Computer Society Events

Upcoming talks and demonstrations

The Computer Society will hold the following technical demonstrations this term:
 
26 November, Seminar room 4B.531
1-2pm GlassFish (open source application server project), speaker Simon Cook (Sun expert)
2-3pm  Sun SPOTs, speaker Bernard Horan (Sun expert and Visiting Fellow at the Department)
 
Abstract - The Sun Small Programmable Object Technology (Sun SPOT) is a small wireless sensor/actuator platform programmed entirely in Java "on the bare metal" (without an OS). It is based on an ARM 9 processor with 512K ram, 4 MB flash, and an 802.15.4 radio. The Sun SPOT includes a "demo sensorboard" that hosts a 3-axis accelerometer, temperature sensor, light sensor, 8 tri-colored LEDs, 6 ADC lines and 9 digital IO pins. The device includes a battery that recharges when the Sun SPOT is plugged into a USB port. For longer- term deployments, the system provides a 36 micro-amp deep sleep mode. The Java VM, called Squawk, is specially designed for small devices, and can run many applications in the one VM.
This capability as well as other features of the Sun SPOT will be demoed as part of the presentation. Also shown will be "Solarium" a deployment and management application.
 
10 December Seminar room 4B.531
1-2pm Project WonderLand, speaker Bernard Horan (Sun expert and Visiting Fellow at the Department)
 
Abstract - Project Wonderland is an open-source toolkit for building 3D virtual worlds. The platform supports immersive audio, 2D and 3D shared applications, multi-user Java programs in 2D or 3D, and telephony integration. The environment, built on the Project Darkstar game server infrastructure, is open and extensible, allowing developers to create highly customized virtual worlds of all different types. Bernard will show several different virtual worlds built by members of the Project Wonderland open source community member--including MiRTLE, the result of a project at the University of Essex to develop a Mixed Reality Teaching & Learning Environment. Each world highlights different aspects of the Wonderland platform and the wide range of possibilities open to developers.
 
The events are free of charge and opened for both members and non-members. Moreover, there will be raffle prizes (backpacks, t-shirts, mugs, pens, etc.) and also CDs with software to give away for members who attend. Refreshments are provided as well.
 
To attend, please register your interest at the Open Source University Meet up page. If you have not already done so, in order to attend you will have to join the Essex OSUM.
 
Any questions regarding the events should be sent to Jenya Kovalchuk yvkova@essex.ac.uk

Sun Academic Initiative Raffle

Students who complete free web-based courses from Sun Academic Initiative will be entered into a raffle. Prizes include:

• IPod Touch for those who complete at least one course (the more courses you complete, the more chances to get the prize)
• A trip to California for those who gain a certificate (the more certificates you get, more chances to win the prize).

The courses on Java technology, Solaris OS system administration, Java Enterprise infrastructure products, the complete StarOffice productivity suite and Professional Development courses can be found at the Sun Academic Initiative Page.
For free access to the courses please email Jenya Kovalchuk yvkova@essex.ac.uk for the log-in details.

Forthcoming Seminar

28 November 2008, 3 - 4pm, Room 1N1.4.1
    

Speaker: Dr Hartmut Erzgräber, University of Exeter (hosted by Professor Michael Adams)

Dynamics of Laterally Coupled Semiconductor Lasers

Abstract - The dynamics of two semiconductor lasers coupled side-to-side via evanescent waves is investigated by using different modelling approaches. In the composite-cavity model, the coupling between the lasers is accurately taken into account by calculating electric field profiles (composite-cavity modes) of the whole coupled-laser system. A bifurcation analysis of the composite-cavity model uncovers how different types of dynamics, including stationary phase-locking, periodic, quasiperiodic and chaotic intensity oscillations, are organised. Different dynamics can be understood in terms of the overlap of the composite-cavity modes, which depends on the laser geometry.  Under weak coupling conditions a simplified coupled-laser model can be derived which is in agreement with the boundary conditions for the optical field of the laser device and reproduces the main characteristics of the composite-cavity model.