Power Efficient Resource Allocation in High Performance Computing Systems An efficient resource allocation is a fundamental requirement in High Performance Computing (HPC) systems. Many projects are dedicated to large-scale distributed computing systems that have designed and developed resource allocation mechanisms with a variety of architectures and services. Resource allocation mechanisms and strategies play a vital role towards the performance improvement of all the high performance computing classifications. Therefore, a comprehensive discussion of widely used resource allocation strategies deployed in distributed high performance computing environment is required. The author has classified the distributed high performance computing systems into three broad categories, namely: (a) cluster, (b) grid, and (c) cloud systems and defines the characteristics of each class by extracting sets of common attributes. All of the aforementioned systems are cataloged into pure software and hybrid/hardware solutions. The system classification is used to identify approaches followed by the implementation of existing resource allocation strategies that are widely presented in the literature. More computational power is offered by high performance computing systems to cope with CPU intensive applications. However, this facility comes at the price of more energy consumption and eventually higher heat dissipation. As a remedy, these issues are being encountered by adjusting system speed on the fly so that application deadlines are respected and also, the overall system energy consumption is reduced. In addition, the current state of the art of high performance computing, particularly the multi-core technology opens further research opportunities for energy reduction through power efficient scheduling. However, the multi-core front is relatively unexplored from the perspective of task scheduling. To the best of our knowledge, very little is known as of yet to integrate power efficiency component into real-time scheduling theory that is tailored for high performance computing particularly multi-core platforms. In these efforts the author first proposes a technique to find the least feasible speed to schedule individual tasks. The proposed technique is experimentally evaluated and the results show the supremacy of our approach over the existing counterpart called first feasible speed. However, this solution is at the cost of delayed response time. The experimental xi results are in accordance with the mathematical formulation established in this work. To minimize power consumption, the author did another attempt by applying genetic algorithm on first feasible speed. The newly proposed approach is termed as genetic algorithm with first feasible speed. The author compares the results obtained through aforementioned approach with existing techniques. It is worth mentioning that proposed technique outperforms first feasible speed and least feasible speed with respect to energy consumption and response time perspectives respectively. Load balancing is also vital for efficient and equal utilization of computing units (systems or cores). To load balancing among computing units, the author applies lightest task-migration (task-shifting) and task splitting mechanisms in a multi-core environment. In task shifting a task having minimum load on a highly utilized computing unit is fully transferred to a low utilized computing unit. In task splitting, the load of a task from a highly utilized computing unit is shared among the computing unit and a low utilized computing unit. It concludes from the given results that task splitting mechanism fully balance load but it is more time consuming as compared to task shifting strategy. Keywords: High performance computing, Real time system, Scheduling, Resource allocation, Resource management, Genetic algorithm, Task migration and Task splitting.
TechnoHeart is a digital way of monitoring heart rate using a Heart Rate Monitor device and an android phone. Moreover, this is made more special through its work-out training which is designed to help users set and achieve their target heart rate and monitor at what training intensity they are during a strenuous exercise. The training is made more interactive as the application has its real-time audio coaching. The need for this application comes from three sources; First, some athletes, non-athletes and even doctors are still using the traditional way of getting the heart rate; Second, training intensity is not monitored and target heart rate is not achieved; Third, most mobile developments do not tailor the need of users who undergo work-out training. With the following needs, objectives were set; First, to connect an HRM (Heart Rate Monitoring) device to an android mobile device and display individual’s heart rate in digital form through mobile; Second, to create a work-out training program using the Karvonen Formula; Third, to enable users know one’s target heart rate by using a Karvonen calculator; Fourth, to notify users in real time with every sudden change and the needed action in order to keep an effective training exercise. The project is to explore this and other similar concepts to develop a design that optimally satisfies all of these objectives. The project addresses all of these objectives while meeting the constraints given. The project was deployed in three different sets of users: The University of Mindanao Athletes, The elderly users aging from 50-80 years old and the other users aging from 12-49 years old. The researchers recommend the use of TechnoHeart for athletes and non-athletes who are aiming for an effective cardiovascular training. And for the next researchers, they can focus on the compatibility of the said application to other mobile platforms like iOS, Blackberry, Windows and etc. And also, they may upload application in the internet such as in social networking sites or any features that would make this project more usable.
Pakistan Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) sector companies are facing a significant competition among themselves. Aerospace spares supply chains are highly complex due to volatile and high demands. The dire predicament is further affected due to the highly competitive global market, characterized by other airlines and aerospace sector companies with more robust Electronic Supply Chain Management (ESCM) systems. Such a competitive environment demands more effective and efficacious supply chain management systems, implying a strong need by the MRO sector to embrace effective ESCM systems. This study was aimed at developing a framework for effective implementation of electronic supply chain management in aviation MRO sector of Pakistan to manage the ever-changing needs among the consumers as a result of tough competition and globalization. Study involved primarily quantitative analysis, however, four key independent/mediating variables were identified through content analysis. After content analysis, quantitative method was used to measure the impact of these variables on dependent variable (ESCM). For quantitative analysis, questionnaire was responded by 924 respondents from Pakistan’s aircraft MRO sector companies. Both SPSS and AMOS tools were used to analyse the impact of three independent and one mediating variable on ESCM. Results validation was also done through case study. Findings of study highlighted that all three independent variables (social influence, IT infrastructure and IT training) and mediating variable (IT competence) have significant effect on the dependent variable (ESCM implementation). Confirmatory factor analysis (structural equation modelling / AMOS) also confirmed a significant mediating effect of DEVELOPMENT OF FRAMEWORK FOR e-SCM IMPLEMENTATION ii IT Knowledge and IT Experience (Expanded factors of IT Competence) on ESCM implementation. The results indicate that significance of social influence has been central among the e-SCM adoption models. The research while analysing the impact of Information Technology (IT) variables on e-SCM, found that within IT infrastructure domain, key deficiencies among the MROs in Pakistan related largely to the human resource aspect. The study also highlights that role of IT deployment capability is not limited to the physical IT infrastructure. It must be balanced with managerial IT skills (e.g. IT knowledge management and experience in IT projects management) for effective linking of information flows across organizational boundaries. The research augments the existing literature that IT training can facilitate in ensuring seamless supply chain but this improvement could come through empowerment of employees specially those working in IT division. With regard to IT competence, this study highlights that its role cannot be underscored. IT competence was further expanded into Knowledge and Experience element. In the field of IT competence, the principal challenges were identified in IT experience domain, which seemed to be lacking within the Pakistan MRO industry. The study is unique in the aspects that e-SCM implementation in Pakistan’s MRO sector has not been reviewed in existing literature and secondly the study provides the structural composition of elements for e-SCM implementation in conjunction with Social Influence, IT Infrastructure, IT Training and IT Competence through an integrated framework. Study results may provide a guideline to the managers for increasing the scope and magnitude of e-SCM. The organizational capabilities identified in study results could provide a guideline to management while transforming their conventional supply chains into those based on the internet-based supply chain network.Improving upon the motivation, social impact value and IT competence/skill level through workshops, seminars, training programs and more investments for digitalization of systems could help in more smooth e-SCM implementation in MRO sector companies. Study highlights experience in IT projects along with general IT management in IT as the weak links in e SCM implementation. Findings of research work confirm that e-SCM implementation through combined effect of study variables are significant for enhancing companies’ performance (reduction in order lead times, better inventory management, life tracking etc.) as validated through case study as well. Limitations of study with future research directions have been discussed in last part of this thesis.