Overview

The Multi-Scale Systems Center (MuSyC) addresses the conception, implementation, validation and management of distributed information-technology systems that have important features at multiple scales - which could be spatial, temporal, functional, or technological. Linking between scales and taming complexity are the main challenges to be addressed.The grand goal of the MuSyC is to create a comprehensive and systematic solution to the distributed multi-scale system design challenge. While addressing the full portfolio of needs, we have specifically selected as grand challenge the development of "energy-smart" distributed systems. Thus such systems are deeply aware of the balance between energy availability and demand, and adjust their behavior in response through dynamic and adaptive optimization through all scales of the design hierarchy. Common application drivers for which energy is of maximum relevancy will drive research.

Research Focus

MuSyC is organized into the following themes:

• Distributed Sense and Control Systems - This theme employs structured and formal design methodologies that seamlessly and coherently combine the various dimensions of the multi-scale design space, and that provide the appropriate abstractions to manage the inherent complexity. Central to this approach will be system-level metrics that weigh energy efficiency versus design cost, complexity, reliability and trust.
• Large-Scale Systems - This theme employs structured and formal design methodologies at the large-scale that is crucial in managing hard- and software complexity. The focus of this theme is energy-balanced data centers of the future.
• Small-Scale Systems - This theme explores the absolute bounds of energy-efficiency and miniaturization in "energy-frugal" human-centric distributed IT systems such as smart objects and advanced human-environment interfaces exploiting augmented senses. The essence of our solution is again a distributed management strategy, that dynamically and adaptively selects the correct operational point corresponding to the varying application needs in terms of accuracy or resolution, crossing all the layers of the design scales from system over algorithm and architecture to technology.

Center Management

Center Director

Jan Rabaey