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A Data, Information and Time model for Distributed real-time computer systems

TECoSA seminar with Prof Hermann Kopetz, Vienna University of Technology.

Time: Tue 2022-03-08 15.00 - 16.00

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This seminar aims to present a model - the data-information-and-time (DIT) model - that clarifies the semantics behind the terms data, information and their relations to the passage of real time. According to the DIT model a data item is a symbol the signifier of which appears as a pattern (e.g. visual, sound, gesture, or any bit pattern) in physical space. The signifier of the symbol is generated by a human or a machine in the current contextual situation and is linked to a concept in the human mind or a set of operations of a machine as its signified. An information item delivers the sense or the idea that a human mind extracts out of a given natural language proposition that is composed of meaningful data items. Since the given tangible, intangible and temporal context are part of the explanation of a data item, a change of context can have an effect on the meaning of data and the sense of a proposition. The DIT model provides a framework to show how the flow of time can change the truth-value of a proposition. Prof Kopetz compares the notions of data, information, and time in differing contexts: in human communication, in the operation of a computer system and in a biological system. In the final section, he will present a simple example to demonstrate how the lessons learned from the DIT-model can help to reduce the complexity and improve the design of a real-time computer system.

TECoSA hosts a guest speaker on the first Thursday of each month during term time. (March's talk has moved slightly to accomodate sportlov.) The seminars are free and all are welcome to attend. This Autumn, all seminars take place via Zoom. Please see the TECoSA Seminar Series homepage for details! www.tecosa.center.kth.se/tecosa-seminar-series/

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Last changed: Jan 31, 2022