Abstract
Pierluigi Pisu - Clemson University
Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) are physical and engineered systems whose operations are monitored, coordinated, controlled and integrated by a computing and communication core. These systems have many applications in critical infrastructures such as smart grid, transportation and manufacturing. Manufacturers and institutions are relying on technologies related to CPSs to improve the efficiency and performances of their products and services. However, the higher the number of connected devices, the higher the exposure to cybersecurity threats. In the case of CPSs, successful cyber-attacks can potentially hamper the economy and endanger human lives. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to develop and adopt resilient technologies that can complement the existing security tools to make CPSs more resilient to cyber-attacks. By exploiting the intrinsically present physical characteristics of CPSs, we will present how dynamical and control systems theory can improve the CPS resiliency to cyber-attacks. We consider CPSs as Networked Control Systems (NCSs), which are control systems where plant and controller share sensing and actuating information through networks. We will present a novel design procedures that maximize the resiliency of NCSs to network imperfections (i.e., sampling, packet dropping, and network delays) and denial of service (DoS) attacks. In particular, we will focus on applications to connected and automated vehicles where vehicles are capable of sharing information via a wireless communication network.