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Channel hopping is essential to BLE backscatter as commodity BLE switches channels frequently during transmission to overcome interferences in busy radio environments. Existing Bluetooth backscatter systems, however, suffer from slow responses to excitation change and poor control of the target channel. To address these issues, this paper presents ChannelDance, a BLE backscatter system that utilizes a low-latency edge server to achieve fast and accurate hopping. Specifically, we show that the backscattered channel relies on the excitation channel and tag toggling frequency. By identifying excitation frequency, the tag can achieve accurate hopping with a dynamically configured clock. Further, we introduce a low-latency architecture, which is centralized, asynchronous, and equipped with high-speed interfaces. This architecture supports the tag to respond to excitation changes fastly. We prototype the ChannelDance tag with FPGA and build the low latency edge server with commodity MCU and off-the-shelf BLE and WiFi radios. Experimental results show that ChannelDance can realize 40 to 40 channel mapping with a median success rate of 93% and achieve 3.5x goodput gain with channel optimization. Moreover, with adaptive hopping, the ChannelDance tag successfully establishes a connection with commodity BLE.

Reinforcement Learning (RL) applied in healthcare can lead to unsafe medical decisions and treatment, such as excessive dosages or abrupt changes, often due to agents overlooking common-sense constraints. Consequently, Constrained Reinforcement Learning (CRL) is a natural choice for safe decisions. However, specifying the exact cost function is inherently difficult in healthcare. Recent Inverse Constrained Reinforcement Learning (ICRL) is a promising approach that infers constraints from expert demonstrations. ICRL algorithms model Markovian decisions in an interactive environment. These settings do not align with the practical requirement of a decision-making system in healthcare, where decisions rely on historical treatment recorded in an offline dataset. To tackle these issues, we propose the Constraint Transformer (CT). Specifically, 1) we utilize a causal attention mechanism to incorporate historical decisions and observations into the constraint modeling, while employing a Non-Markovian layer for weighted constraints to capture critical states. 2) A generative world model is used to perform exploratory data augmentation, enabling offline RL methods to simulate unsafe decision sequences. In multiple medical scenarios, empirical results demonstrate that CT can capture unsafe states and achieve strategies that approximate lower mortality rates, reducing the occurrence probability of unsafe behaviors.

Semantic recognition is pivotal in virtual reality (VR) applications, enabling immersive and interactive experiences. A promising approach is utilizing millimeter-wave (mmWave) signals to generate point clouds. However, the high computational and memory demands of current mmWave point cloud models hinder their efficiency and reliability. To address this limitation, our paper introduces ESP-PCT, a novel Enhanced Semantic Performance Point Cloud Transformer with a two-stage semantic recognition framework tailored for VR applications. ESP-PCT takes advantage of the accuracy of sensory point cloud data and optimizes the semantic recognition process, where the localization and focus stages are trained jointly in an end-to-end manner. We evaluate ESP-PCT on various VR semantic recognition conditions, demonstrating substantial enhancements in recognition efficiency. Notably, ESP-PCT achieves a remarkable accuracy of 93.2% while reducing the computational requirements (FLOPs) by 76.9% and memory usage by 78.2% compared to the existing Point Transformer model simultaneously. These underscore ESP-PCT's potential in VR semantic recognition by achieving high accuracy and reducing redundancy. The code and data of this project are available at \url{https://github.com/lymei-SEU/ESP-PCT}.

Backscatter communication has attracted significant attention for Internet-of-Things applications due to its ultra-low-power consumption. The state-of-the-art backscatter systems no longer require dedicated carrier generators and leverage ambient signals as carriers. However, there is an emerging challenge: most prior systems need dual receivers to capture the original and backscattered signals at the same time for tag data demodulation. This is not conducive to the widespread deployment of backscatter communication. To address this problem, we present double-decker, a novel backscatter system that only requires a single commercial device for backscatter communication. The key technology of double-decker is to divide the carrier OFDM symbols into two parts, which are pilot symbols and data symbols. Pilot symbols can be used as reference signals for tag data demodulation, thus getting rid of the dependence on the dual receiver structure. We have built an FPGA prototype and conducted extensive experiments. Empirical results show that when the excitation signal is 802.11g, double-decker achieves a tag data rate of 35.2kbps and a productive data rate of 38kbps, respectively. The communication range of double-decker is up to 28m in LOS deployment and 24m in NLOS deployment.

Large pre-trained models have exhibited remarkable achievements across various domains. The substantial training costs associated with these models have led to wide studies of fine-tuning for effectively harnessing their capabilities in solving downstream tasks. Yet, conventional fine-tuning approaches become infeasible when the model lacks access to downstream data due to privacy concerns. Naively integrating fine-tuning approaches with the emerging federated learning frameworks incurs substantial communication overhead and exerts high demand on local computing resources, making it impractical for common resource-limited devices. In this paper, we introduce SFPrompt, an innovative privacy-preserving fine-tuning method tailored for the federated setting where direct uploading of raw data is prohibited and local devices are resource-constrained to run a complete pre-trained model. In essence, SFPrompt judiciously combines split learning with federated learning to handle these challenges. Specifically, the pre-trained model is first partitioned into client and server components, thereby streamlining the client-side model and substantially alleviating computational demands on local resources. SFPrompt then introduces soft prompts into the federated model to enhance the fine-tuning performance. To further reduce communication costs, a novel dataset pruning algorithm and a local-loss update strategy are devised during the fine-tuning process. Extensive experiments demonstrate that SFPrompt delivers competitive performance as the federated full fine-tuning approach while consuming a mere 0.46% of local computing resources and incurring 53% less communication cost.

In this paper, we propose a novel shape optimization approach for the source identification of elliptic equations. This identification problem arises from two application backgrounds: actuator placement in PDE-constrained optimal controls and the regularized least-squares formulation of source identifications. The optimization problem seeks both the source strength and its support. By eliminating the variable associated with the source strength, we reduce the problem to a shape optimization problem for a coupled elliptic system, known as the first-order optimality system. As a model problem, we derive the shape derivative for the regularized least-squares formulation of the inverse source problem and propose a gradient descent shape optimization algorithm, implemented using the level-set method. Several numerical experiments are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of our proposed algorithms.

This paper introduces probability distribution learning (PD learning), a novel theoretical learning framework. Departing from the traditional statistical learning framework, PD learning focuses on learning the underlying probability distribution, which is modeled as a random variable within the probability simplex. Within this framework, the learning error is decomposed into uncertainty, estimation error, and the model's fitting error. Subsequently, we present the methodology for calculating uncertainty, along with optimization strategies for both estimation error and fitting error. Given that minimizing the fitting error typically constitutes a non-convex optimization problem, we introduce a standard loss function and the gradient structural control (GSC) algorithm, and demonstrate that by employing this function, the optima of fitting error minimization can be approached by reducing the gradient norm and structural error. Furthermore, we apply the PD learning framework to deep learning, elucidating the mechanisms by which techniques such as random parameter initialization, over-parameterization, bias-variance trade-off, and dropout influence deep model training. Finally, experimental results on various models validate the effectiveness of the proposed framework., Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2105.04026 by other authors. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2105.04026 by other authors

Graph-Level Anomaly Detection (GLAD) aims to distinguish anomalous graphs within a graph dataset. However, current methods are constrained by their receptive fields, struggling to learn global features within the graphs. Moreover, most contemporary methods are based on spatial domain and lack exploration of spectral characteristics. In this paper, we propose a multi-perspective hybrid graph-level anomaly detector namely GLADformer, consisting of two key modules. Specifically, we first design a Graph Transformer module with global spectrum enhancement, which ensures balanced and resilient parameter distributions by fusing global features and spectral distribution characteristics. Furthermore, to uncover local anomalous attributes, we customize a band-pass spectral GNN message passing module that further enhances the model's generalization capability. Through comprehensive experiments on ten real-world datasets from multiple domains, we validate the effectiveness and robustness of GLADformer. This demonstrates that GLADformer outperforms current state-of-the-art models in graph-level anomaly detection, particularly in effectively capturing global anomaly representations and spectral characteristics.

Nowadays, indoor localization has received extensive research interest due to more and more applications' needs for location information to provide a more precise and effective service [1], [2]. There are various wireless techniques and mechanisms that have been proposed; some of them have been studied in depth and come into use, such as Wi-Fi, RFID, and sensor networks. In comparison, the development of Bluetooth location technology is slow and there are not many papers and surveys in this field, although the performance and market value of Bluetooth are increasing steadily. In this paper, we aim to provide a detailed survey of various indoor localization systems with Bluetooth. In contrast with the existing surveys, we categorize the exciting localization techniques that have been proposed in the literature in order to sketch the development of Bluetooth location compared to other technologies. We also evaluate different systems from the perspective of availability, cost, scalability, and accuracy. We also discuss remaining problems and challenges to accurate Bluetooth localization., Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures

In this paper, we investigate an optimal control problem governed by parabolic equations with measure-valued controls over time. We establish the well-posedness of the optimal control problem and derive the first-order optimality condition using Clarke's subgradients, revealing a sparsity structure in time for the optimal control. Consequently, these optimal control problems represent a generalization of impulse control for evolution equations. To discretize the optimal control problem, we employ the space-time finite element method. Here, the state equation is approximated using piecewise linear and continuous finite elements in space, alongside a Petrov-Galerkin method utilizing piecewise constant trial functions and piecewise linear and continuous test functions in time. The control variable is discretized using the variational discretization concept. For error estimation, we initially derive a priori error estimates and stabilities for the finite element discretizations of the state and adjoint equations. Subsequently, we establish weak-* convergence for the control under the norm $\mathcal{M}(\bar I_c;L^2(\omega))$, with a convergence order of $O(h^\frac{1}{2}+\tau^\frac{1}{4})$ for the state.

Cloud-aided mobile edge networks (CAMENs) allow edge servers (ESs) to purchase resources from remote cloud servers (CSs), while overcoming resource shortage when handling computation-intensive tasks of mobile users (MUs). Conventional trading mechanisms (e.g., onsite trading) confront many challenges, including decision-making overhead (e.g., latency) and potential trading failures. This paper investigates a series of cross-layer matching mechanisms to achieve stable and cost-effective resource provisioning across different layers (i.e., MUs, ESs, CSs), seamlessly integrated into a novel hybrid paradigm that incorporates futures and spot trading. In futures trading, we explore an overbooking-driven aforehand cross-layer matching (OA-CLM) mechanism, facilitating two future contract types: contract between MUs and ESs, and contract between ESs and CSs, while assessing potential risks under historical statistical analysis. In spot trading, we design two backup plans respond to current network/market conditions: determination on contractual MUs that should switch to local processing from edge/cloud services; and an onsite cross-layer matching (OS-CLM) mechanism that engages participants in real-time practical transactions. We next show that our matching mechanisms theoretically satisfy stability, individual rationality, competitive equilibrium, and weak Pareto optimality. Comprehensive simulations in real-world and numerical network settings confirm the corresponding efficacy, while revealing remarkable improvements in time/energy efficiency and social welfare.

In this paper, we consider the finite element approximation to a parabolic Dirichlet boundary control problem and establish new a priori error estimates. In the temporal semi-discretization we apply the DG(0) method for the state and the variational discretization for the control, and obtain the convergence rates $O(k^{\frac{1}{4}})$ and $O(k^{\frac{3}{4}-\varepsilon})$ $(\varepsilon>0)$ for the control for problems posed on polytopes with $y_0\in L^2(\Omega)$, $y_d\in L^2(I;L^2(\Omega))$ and smooth domains with $y_0\in H^{\frac{1}{2}}(\Omega)$, $y_d\in L^2(I;H^1(\Omega))\cap H^{\frac{1}{2}}(I;L^2(\Omega))$, respectively. In the fully discretization of the optimal control problem posed on polytopal domains, we apply the DG(0)-CG(1) method for the state and the variational discretization approach for the control, and derive the convergence order $O(k^{\frac{1}{4}} +h^{\frac{1}{2}})$, which improves the known results by removing the mesh size condition $k=O(h^2)$ between the space mesh size $h$ and the time step $k$. As a byproduct, we obtain a priori error estimate $O(h+k^{1\over 2})$ for the fully discretization of parabolic equations with inhomogeneous Dirichlet data posed on polytopes, which also improves the known error estimate by removing the above mesh size condition.

In this paper we propose a new finite element method for solving elliptic optimal control problems with pointwise state constraints, including the distributed controls and the Dirichlet or Neumann boundary controls. The main idea is to use energy space regularizations in the objective functional, while the equivalent representations of the energy space norms, i.e., the $H^{-1}(\Omega)$-norm for the distributed control, the $H^{1/2}(\Gamma)$-norm for the Dirichlet control and the $H^{-1/2}(\Gamma)$-norm for the Neumann control, enable us to transform the optimal control problem into an elliptic variational inequality involving only the state variable. The elliptic variational inequalities are second order for the three cases, and include additional equality constraints for Dirichlet or Neumann boundary control problems. Standard $C^0$ finite elements can be used to solve the resulted variational inequality. We provide preliminary a priori error estimates for the new algorithm for solving distributed control problems. Extensive numerical experiments are carried out to validate the accuracy of the new algorithm.

The boom of the Internet of Things has revolutionized people's lives, but it has also resulted in massive resource consumption and environmental pollution. Recently, Green IoT (GIoT) has become a worldwide consensus to address this issue. In this paper, we propose EEWScatter, an energy-efficient WiFi backscatter communication system to pursue the goal of GIoT. Unlike previous backscatter systems that solely focus on tags, our approach offers a comprehensive system-wide view on energy conservation. Specifically, we reuse ambient signals as carriers and utilize an ultra-low-power and battery-free design for tag nodes by backscatter. Further, we design a new CRC-based algorithm that enables the demodulation of both ambient and tag data by only a single receiver while using ambient carriers. Such a design eliminates system reliance on redundant transceivers with high power consumption. Results demonstrate that EEWScatter achieves the lowest overall system power consumption and saves at least half of the energy. What's more, the power consumption of our tag is only 1/1000 of that of active radio. We believe that EEWScatter is a critical step towards a sustainable future.

The aim of this paper is to study the shape optimization method for solving the Bernoulli free boundary problem, a well-known ill-posed problem that seeks the unknown free boundary through Cauchy data. Different formulations have been proposed in the literature that differ in the choice of the objective functional. Specifically, it was shown respectively in [14] and [16] that tracking Neumann data is well-posed but tracking Dirichlet data is not. In this paper we propose a new well-posed objective functional that tracks Dirichlet data at the free boundary. By calculating the Euler derivative and the shape Hessian of the objective functional we show that the new formulation is well-posed, i.e., the shape Hessian is coercive at the minimizers. The coercivity of the shape Hessian may ensure the existence of optimal solutions for the nonlinear Ritz-Galerkin approximation method and its convergence, thus is crucial for the formulation. As a summary, we conclude that tracking Dirichlet or Neumann data in its energy norm is not sufficient, but tracking it in a half an order higher norm will be well-posed. To support our theoretical results we carry out extensive numerical experiments., Comment: 27 pages, 6 figures, 4 tables, 27 references, will be resubmitted

Supply chain management is aimed to keep going long-term performance of the supply chain and minimize the costs. Backscatter technology provides a more efficient way of being able to identify items and real-time monitoring. Among the backscatter systems, the ambient backscatter communication (AmBC) system provides a prospect of ultra-low energy consumption and does not require controlled excitation devices. In this paper, we introduce CRCScatter, a CRC reverse algorithm-based AmBC system using a single access point (AP). A CRC reverse decoder is applied to reverse the ambient data from CRC32 sequence in the backscatter packet and realize single-AP decoding. Based on the nature of DBPSK modulation in WiFi signal, the CRCScatter system obtains the tag data by XOR and Differential decoder. Our simulation results verify the effectiveness of our proposed system in the low SNR regime. The average decoding time of CRCScatter system is independent of the length of tag data. Furthermore, our system can append redundant bits in the tag data to improve the decoding accuracy while not increasing the decoding time.

The challenge of exchanging and processing of big data over mobile crowdsensing (MCS) networks calls for designing seamless data service provisioning mechanisms to enable utilization of resources of mobile devices/users for crowdsensing tasks. Although conventional onsite spot trading of resources based on real-time network conditions can facilitate data sharing, it often suffers from prohibitively long service provisioning delays and unavoidable trading failures due to requiring timely analysis of dynamic network environment. These limitations motivate us to investigate an integrated forward and spot trading mechanism (iFAST), which entails a novel hybrid data trading protocol with time efficiency, over uncertain MCS ecosystems. In iFAST, the sellers (i.e., mobile devices who can contribute data) can provide long-term or temporary sensing services to the buyers (i.e., sensing tasks). Specifically, it enables signing long-term contracts in advance of future transactions through a forward trading mode, via analyzing historical statistics of the network/market, for which the notion of overbooking is introduced and promoted. iFAST further encourages the buyers with unsatisfying service quality to recruit temporary sellers through a spot trading mode, considering the current network/market conditions. We analyze the fundamental blocks of iFAST and provide a case study to demonstrate its performance. Inspirations for future research directions of next-generation sensing and communication are summarized.