Natasha A. Neogi

Natasha NeogiTel: +1 (757) 325-6915; FAX: +1 (757) 325-6701

Email: natasha.neogi@nianet.org

Research Interests

  • Design and Validation of Next Generation Operational Concepts and Technologies;
  • Verification and Validation of Flight Critical Avionics Systems;
  • Code level Verification of Embedded Real Time Systems;
  • Lyapunov Like Proof Techniques for the Stability, Convergence and Termination of Distributed Systems; and
  • Safety, Reliability and Security of Cyber-Physical Critical Infrastructure Systems.

Education

  • Ph.D., Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2002
  • M.S., Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1999
  • M.Phil., Physics, Cambridge University, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1997
  • B.Eng., Mechanical Engineering with Honors, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, 1996

Current Research Projects

NextGen ConOps:  Validating Interval Management in the Terminal Radar Approach Control Area : The Interval Management (IM) concept encompasses the equipment, algorithms, procedures and displays that enable improved means for managing traffic flows and aircraft spacing. This includes the use of both ground-based and flight deck technologies, where ground systems assist the controller in determining appropriate clearances to merge and space aircraft efficiently and safely, and airborne tools allow the flight crew to conform to their interval management clearance.  The fundamental enabling concept behind IM is the provision of velocity commands derived by a flight deck velocity control algorithm to maintain a localized relative spacing in the face of operational uncertainties and environmental effects, such as varying aircraft flight modes, performance characteristics, and winds. Currently, NIA is investigating several means of specifying aircraft models, containing both continuous and discrete dynamics, along with the corresponding constraints, in order to develop a flight deck velocity controller (and its implementation). NIA is studying various derived variational integrators, and the effects of the accrued error and reversibility of the integration scheme on the velocity controller in a simulated environment 

Developing Reusable Models for Embedded Avionics Systems Components that Enable Verification: In this research, NIA will examine the issue of self stabilization in distributed embedded systems for arbitrary initial conditions (startup), in the context of the faults and failures.   NIA is developing formal hybrid input output automata (HIOA) models of common avionics elements, such as, clocks, communications channels, and logical decision-making (voting) protocols housed on each processor; given their implementation description and logical circuit diagrams. We wish to then analyze these models under composition for arbitrary initial conditions to evaluate whether the non-faulty processors all achieve correct operation under the given distributed algorithm and protocol for the system function. Neogi’s team proposes to use simulation relations between the hybrid dynamical system representation of the hybrid automata and the actual composed HIOA, under restricted Lipschitz conditions for their evolving dynamics, in order to demonstrate the correctness and convergence of the protocol under realistic arbitrary starting conditions.

Developing Resuable Lyapunov Proof Techniques Formally Assure Termination in Fault Tolerant Distributed Controls Systems:  In this research, we attempt to address the semantic gap between the model and the implementation of control algorithms for distributed systems in a formal fashion: NIA wishes to develop  an interactive (partially automated) method by which to translate the global, model level theoretical properties, such as stability and convergence, into code level assertions and invariants, which assure termination of the relevant implementations and validity of the result. Currently, NIA is investigating a simple control system example, which involves  a fault-tolerant distributed agreement protocol in the presence of a varying network topology. NIA is developing Lyapunov-style arguments for demonstrating the stability of the controller, in order to exploit the Lyapunov function to create a convergence proof.  NIA proposes to use these proof structures to derive requisite ANSI-C Specification Language (ACSL) annotations for the C code distributed implementation, in order to guarantee termination. The ACSL annotations  can then be used to automatically generate formal proof obligations via the Frama-C tool. These proof obligations also encompass  assertions relating to timing, memory allocation, type checking and processor specific issues.

Safety, Reliability and Security of Cyber-Physical Critical Infrastructure Systems: The wellbeing of our society depends on the continuous availability of critical infrastructures such as transportation, healthcare, and communication.  Interactions between infrastructure systems are complex and difficult to predict. An unexpected adverse event (e.g., major transportation accident, outbreak of a disease, natural disaster, loss of critical data, or malicious attack) that impacts one infrastructure can propagate and cause catastrophic failures in other infrastructures. The challenge is to provide procedures and techniques that enable timely detection, analysis and response to such anomalies and prevent uncontrolled and unpredictable interactions with interrelated infrastructures.  The reduction of this ripple effect can minimize the societal recovery costs for unplanned events.  In addressing these challenges, Neogi will explore and develop models, methods, and prototypes, which enable analysis and demonstration of novel technologies that have the ability to enhance response prioritization and ultimately, effectiveness. Gaining an increased situational awareness of the infrastructure health through monitoring can provide both timely snapshots after failures, and trending of health metrics over time to aid in sustainability. 

Recent Publications

  • S. Campbell, N. Neogi and M. Bragg, “Multi-scale path optimization for the reduced environmental impact of air transportation”, submitted to the AIAA Journal of Guidance, Dynamics and Control 2011, in Review.
  • N. Neogi and S. Lumetta, “A Pseudo-Polynomial Time Algorithm for State Dependent Scheduling in Multi-Processor Systems”, SIAM Journal on Computing, accepted 2009, pending final revision.
  • Jiang S, Voulgaris P, Neogi N., “Failure-robust distributed controller architectures”, International Journal of Control,  2008, in advance of print DOI:0.1002/rnc.1284, US: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/rnc.1284.
  • D. Uhlig, N. Kiyavash, and N. Neogi, “Fault Tolerant Triangulation in Distributed Aircraft Networks with Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast”, International Journal of Systems, Control and Communications, eds. C. Hadjicostis, C. Langbort, N. Martins, and S. Yuksel., June 2009.
  • D. Harikiopolou, and N. Neogi, “Polynomial Time Feasibility Condition for Multi-Class Aircraft Sequencing on a Single Runway Airport”, IEEE Journal on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 2009, in print.
  • Jun H. Park, N. Sri Namachchivaya and Natasha Neogi, “Stochastic Averaging and Optimal Prediction”, Journal of Vibration and Acoustics, vol. 129, no. 6, pp 803-807, 2007.
  • Jiang S, Voulgaris P, Neogi N., “Distributed control over structured and packet-dropping networks”, International Journal of Robust and Nonlinear Control, 2007; 80(9):1367–1378.
  • E. Rantenen, A. Naseri, and N. Neogi, “Evaluation of Airspace Complexity and Dynamic Density Metrics Derived from Operational Data”, Air Traffic Control Quarterly, Vol 15. No.1, July 2007.
  • N. Neogi, “Designing Trustworthy Networked Systems:  A Case Study of the National Airspace System”, AIAA Journal of Computing, Information, and Communication, accepted 2009, est. to appear 2011.
  • Neogi, N. A., Sanders, W.H., Joshi, K.,  Dynamic Partitioning of Large Discrete Event Biological Systems for Hybrid Simulation and Analysis, Rajeev Alur, George J. Pappas (Eds.), Lecture Notes in Computer Science 2993 Springer 2004. pp. 463-476.
  • E. Rantenen, A. Naseri, and N. Neogi, “Evaluation of Airspace Complexity and Dynamic Density Metrics Derived from Operational Data”, Air Traffic Control Quarterly, Vol 15. No.1, July 2007.
  • N. Neogi, “Designing Trustworthy Networked Systems:  A Case Study of the National Airspace System”, AIAA Journal of Computing, Information, and Communication, accepted 2009, est. to appear 2011.
  • Natasha Neogi, “Safety Issues in the Asynchronous Control of
  • Critical Avionics Systems”, Digital Avionics Systems Conference, Seattle Washington, October 2011.
  • Natasha Neogi, “Fault Tolerant Clock Synchronization for Arbitrary Start-Up Conditions”, IEEE  2nd Annual Workshop on the Logical Aspects of Fault Tolerance, Toronto, Canada, June 2011.
  • Natasha Neogi, “Enabling Safety and Security in the NexGen Air Transportation System”,  IEEE Aerospace Conference, Big Sky, Montana, March 2011.
  • Daniel Uhlig, Michael Selig and Natasha Neogi, “Health Monitoring via Neural Networks”, AIAA InfoTech@ Aerospace, Atlanta, GA,  20-22nd  April 2010.
  • Natasha Neogi, “Safety in  Distributed Aerospace Systems“, SAE 2009 AeroTech Congress and Exhibition,  Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle, Washington, Nov 11, 2009.
  • Ashwin Jadhav, Natasha Neogi, Terry Von Thaden,  “Impact of Critical Hub Airport Configuration in the Next Generation Air Transportation System”, Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC), Orlando, FL , 25-29 October, 2009.
  • Scott Campbell, Michael Bragg and Natasha Neogi, “An Operational Strategy for Persistent Contrail Mitigation”, 9th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference (ATIO) , Hilton Head, South Carolina, 21-23rd Sep. 2009.
  • D. Uhlig, N. Kiyavash, and N. Neogi, “Intelligent Redraw for Fault Tolerant Triangulation in Distributed Aircraft Networks”, American Controls Conference, St. Louis, June 2009.
  • S. Campbell, N. Neogi, and M. Bragg, “An Optimal Strategy for Persistent Contrail Mitigation”, AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, Honolulu, HI, August 18-21, 2008.
  • Ortiz, and N. Neogi, “A Dynamic Threshold Approach to Fault Detection in Unihabited Aerial Vehicles”, AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, Honolulu, HI, August 18-21, 2008.
  • D. Uhlig, N. Kivyiash, and N. Neogi, “Real-Time Triangulation Based on Measurements from Mobile ADS–B Aircraft”, 20th EuroMicro International Conference on Real-Time Systems, Prague, Czech Republic, July 2 – 4, 2008.
  • N. Neogi and C. Langbort, “Partitioning and the Online-World Design Problem for Multi-Player Games”, 2008 American Control Conference, Seattle, Washington, USA, June 11 – 13, 2008
  • Ortiz, and N. Neogi, Fault Detection and Diagnosis in Real-Time, Safety Critical Embedded Systems: Practical Experience Report for Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles, International Conference on Dependable Systems and Networks, Anchorage, Alaska, June 24-27, 2008.
  • K. Bhamidipati and N. Neogi, “Engineering Safety and Reliability into UAV Systems: Mitigating the Ground Impact Hazard”, AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, Hilton Head, South Carolina, August 20-23, 2007.
  • Ortiz and N. Neogi, “Object Detection and Avoidance Using Optical Techniques in Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles”, AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, Hilton Head, South Carolina, August 20-23, 2007.
  • Naseri, N. Neogi and Esa Rantanen, “Stochastic Hybrid Models with Applications to Air Traffic Management”, AIAA GNC Conference, Hilton Head, South Carolina, August 20-23, 2007.
  • S. Jiang, P. Voulgaris and N. Neogi, “Distributed Control over Structured and Lossy Networks”, Proceedings of the American Controls Conference, New York, New York, July 11-13, 2007.
  • N. Neogi, K. Bhamidipati, D. Uhlig, A. Ortiz and J. Krauss, “Engineering Reliability into Networks of UAV’s”, International Conference on Dependable Systems and Networks, Edinburgh, UK, June 25 – June 28, 2007, 2007.
  • Ortiz and N. Neogi, “Optic Flow:  A Computer Vision Approach to Object Avoidance on UAVs”, IEEE Digital Avionics Systems Conference, Portland, Oregon, October 16-19, 2006.
  • D. Uhlig, K. Bhamidipati, and N. Neogi, “A Safety-Oriented Approach to Designing UAVs using COTS Technology”, IEEE Digital Avionics Systems Conference, Portland, Oregon, October 16-19, 2006.
  • Naseri, and N. Neogi, “Using Hidden Markov Models to Detect Mode Changes in Aircraft Flight Data for Conflict Detection Purposes”, IEEE Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, Taipei, Taiwan, October 8-11, 2006.
  • McGuire, and N. Neogi, “Bounding Overapproximations of Reachable Sets in Aircraft Conflict Detection”, AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, Keystone, CO, August 21-24, 2006.
  • Naseri, and N. Neogi, “Stochastic Hybrid Models with Applications to Air Traffic Management”, AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, Keystone, CO, August 21-24, 2006.
  • N. Neogi, “Developing Conflict Detection Techniques for a Safe and Reliable Network of Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles”, International Conference on Dependable Systems and Networks, Philadelphia, PA, June 25-28, 2006.