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At least 217 records · Page 12

Assessment of Edge-Based Viscous Method for Corner-Flow Solutions on Graphics Processing Units

A highly efficient, edge-based viscous (EBV) discretization method has been recently implemented in a practical, unstructured-grid, node-centered, finite-volume flow solver and evaluated for Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) formulations. In comparison to a well-established cell-based viscous (CBV) method, the EBV method has demonstrated multifold acceleration of all viscous-kernel computations on general unstructured mixed-element grids. The viscous kernels include evaluation of viscous fluxes, diffusion terms in turbulence models, and the corresponding Jacobian terms. In this paper, an EBV implementation of a nonlinear extension of the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model, SA-neg-QCR2000, is presented and verified. The SA-neg-QCR2000 model is used for simulating turbulent corner flows. Previously reported EBV computations have been conducted on traditional computing architectures based on central processing units (CPU). This paper assesses benefits of the EBV method on modern high-performance computing architectures based on graphics processing units (GPU). The GPU implementations of the CBV and EBV methods are verified by comparing solutions and iterative convergence with those observed in CPU computations on the same grids. A comprehensive assessment of the EBV speedup on CPU and GPU architectures is presented for established benchmark corner flows, namely, a supersonic flow through a long square duct and a subsonic flow around a NASA juncture flow model.

CFD↗

Assessment of Edge-Based Viscous Method for Corner-Flow Solutions on Graphics Processing Units

A highly efficient, edge-based viscous (EBV) discretization method has been recently implemented in a practical, unstructured-grid, node-centered, finite-volume flow solver and evaluated for Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) formulations. In comparison to a well-established cell-based viscous (CBV) method, the EBV method has demonstrated multifold acceleration of all viscous-kernel computations on general unstructured mixed-element grids. The viscous kernels include evaluation of viscous fluxes, diffusion terms in turbulence models, and the corresponding Jacobian terms. In this paper, an EBV implementation of a nonlinear extension of the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model, SA-neg-QCR2000, is presented and verified. The SA-neg-QCR2000 model is used for simulating turbulent corner flows. Previously reported EBV computations have been conducted on traditional computing architectures based on central processing units (CPU). This paper assesses benefits of the EBV method on modern high-performance computing architectures based on graphics processing units (GPU). The GPU implementations of the CBV and EBV methods are verified by comparing solutions and iterative convergence with those observed in CPU computations on the same grids. A comprehensive assessment of the EBV speedup on CPU and GPU architectures is presented for established benchmark corner flows, namely, a supersonic flow through a long square duct and a subsonic flow around a NASA juncture flow model.

CFD↗

VLSI architectures for computing multiplications and inverses in GF(2m)

Finite field arithmetic logic is central in the implementation of Reed-Solomon coders and in some cryptographic algorithms. There is a need for good multiplication and inversion algorithms that are easily realized on VLSI chips. Massey and Omura recently developed a new multiplication algorithm for Galois fields based on a normal basis representation. A pipeline structure is developed to realize the Massey-Omura multiplier in the finite field GF(2m). With the simple squaring property of the normal-basis representation used together with this multiplier, a pipeline architecture is also developed for computing inverse elements in GF(2m). The designs developed for the Massey-Omura multiplier and the computation of inverse elements are regular, simple, expandable and, therefore, naturally suitable for VLSI implementation.

Wang, C. C.↗

VLSI architectures for computing multiplications and inverses in GF(2-m)

Finite field arithmetic logic is central in the implementation of Reed-Solomon coders and in some cryptographic algorithms. There is a need for good multiplication and inversion algorithms that are easily realized on VLSI chips. Massey and Omura recently developed a new multiplication algorithm for Galois fields based on a normal basis representation. A pipeline structure is developed to realize the Massey-Omura multiplier in the finite field GF(2m). With the simple squaring property of the normal-basis representation used together with this multiplier, a pipeline architecture is also developed for computing inverse elements in GF(2m). The designs developed for the Massey-Omura multiplier and the computation of inverse elements are regular, simple, expandable and, therefore, naturally suitable for VLSI implementation.

Wang, C. C.↗

HiMAT onboard flight computer system architecture and qualification

Two highly maneuverable aircraft technology (HiMAT) remotely piloted research vehicles (RPRV's) are being flight tested at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, to demonstrate and evaluate a number of technological advances applicable to future fighter aircraft. Closed-loop primary flight control is performed from a ground-based cockpit utilizing a digital computer and up/down telemetry links. A backup flight control system for emergency operation resides in one of two onboard computers. Other functions of the onboard computer system are uplink processing, downlink processing, engine control, failure detection, and redundancy management. This paper describes the architecture, functions, and flight qualification of the HiMAT onboard flight computer systems.

Myers, A. F.↗

The NIST Real-Time Control System (RCS): A Reference Model Architecture for Computational Intelligence

The Real-time Control System (RCS) developed at NIST and elsewhere over the past two decades defines a reference model architecture for design and analysis of complex intelligent control systems. The RCS architecture consists of a hierarchically layered set of functional processing modules connected by a network of communication pathways. The primary distinguishing feature of the layers is the bandwidth of the control loops. The characteristic bandwidth of each level is determined by the spatial and temporal integration window of filters, the temporal frequency of signals and events, the spatial frequency of patterns, and the planning horizon and granularity of the planners that operate at each level. At each level, tasks are decomposed into sequential subtasks, to be performed by cooperating sets of subordinate agents. At each level, signals from sensors are filtered and correlated with spatial and temporal features that are relevant to the control function being implemented at that level.

Albus, James S.↗

Hierarchical power distribution in large scale computing systems

Techniques for managing power distribution amongst processors in a massively parallel computer architecture are disclosed. The techniques utilize a hierarchy that organizes the various processors of the massively parallel computer architecture. The hierarchy groups numbers of the processors at the lowest level. When processors complete tasks, the power assigned to those processors is distributed to other processors in the same group so that the performance of those processors can be increased. Hierarchical organization simplifies the calculations required for determining how and when to distribute power, because when tasks are complete and power is available for distribution, a relatively small number of processors are available for consideration to receive that power. The number of processors that are grouped together can be adjusted in real time based on performance factors to improve the trade-off between calculation speed and power distribution efficacy.

42 ENGINEERING↗

VEXS, An Open Platform for the Study of Continuous-Energy Cross-Section Lookup Algorithms on GPU’s

A significant bottleneck in continuous-energy neutron transport simulations is the cross-section lookup problem, especially in the case of those occurring in depleted fuel regions. Several algorithms have been developed over the years to solve this problem on more traditional CPU-based platforms, however new computational architectures such as GPUs may not benefit as significantly from these algorithms. As there is increasing interest in using these new computational architectures as a core part of large simulations, the relative efficacy of these algorithms compared to one another is an interesting area of research. Additionally, implementations of these algorithms are sometimes inaccessible to interested scientists outside of the nuclear engineering field given the export-controlled nature of the codes they are implemented in. In this paper, we describe our work to extend an existing open-source platform for cross-section lookup simulation, XSBench, to GPUs. We also describe our adaptation of the original codebase to handle more realistic datasets, and our efforts to accommodate different in-memory data layouts in order to more closely approximate those implementations used in production codes. Finally, we compare our results with those obtained from Shift, a GPU-enabled Monte Carlo transport solver developed for large neutron transport simulations.

Shriver, Forrest↗

A Multi-Level Parallelization Concept for High-Fidelity Multi-Block Solvers

The integration of high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis tools with the industrial design process benefits greatly from the robust implementations that are transportable across a wide range of computer architectures. In the present work, a hybrid domain-decomposition and parallelization concept was developed and implemented into the widely-used NASA multi-block Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) packages implemented in ENSAERO and OVERFLOW. The new parallel solver concept, PENS (Parallel Euler Navier-Stokes Solver), employs both fine and coarse granularity in data partitioning as well as data coalescing to obtain the desired load-balance characteristics on the available computer platforms. This multi-level parallelism implementation itself introduces no changes to the numerical results, hence the original fidelity of the packages are identically preserved. The present implementation uses the Message Passing Interface (MPI) library for interprocessor message passing and memory accessing. By choosing an appropriate combination of the available partitioning and coalescing capabilities only during the execution stage, the PENS solver becomes adaptable to different computer architectures from shared-memory to distributed-memory platforms with varying degrees of parallelism. The PENS implementation on the IBM SP2 distributed memory environment at the NASA Ames Research Center obtains 85 percent scalable parallel performance using fine-grain partitioning of single-block CFD domains using up to 128 wide computational nodes. Multi-block CFD simulations of complete aircraft simulations achieve 75 percent perfect load-balanced executions using data coalescing and the two levels of parallelism. SGI PowerChallenge, SGI Origin 2000, and a cluster of workstations are the other platforms where the robustness of the implementation is tested. The performance behavior on the other computer platforms with a variety of realistic problems will be included as this on-going study progresses.

Hatay, Ferhat F.↗

Graph-based modeling and simulation of complex systems

We present graph-based modeling abstractions to represent cyber-physical dependencies arising in complex systems. Specifically, we propose an algebraic graph abstraction to capture physical connectivity in complex optimization models and a computing graph abstraction to capture communication connectivity in computing architectures. The proposed abstractions are scalable and are used as the backbone of a Julia-based software package that we call Plasmo.j1. Here, we show how the algebraic graph abstraction facilitates the implementation, analysis, and decomposition of optimization problems and we show how the computing graph abstraction facilitates the implementation of optimization and control algorithms and their simulation in virtual environments that involve distributed, centralized, and hierarchical computing architectures.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Parallel algorithms and architecture for computation of manipulator forward dynamics

Parallel computation of manipulator forward dynamics is investigated. Considering three classes of algorithms for the solution of the problem, that is, the O(n), the O(n exp 2), and the O(n exp 3) algorithms, parallelism in the problem is analyzed. It is shown that the problem belongs to the class of NC and that the time and processors bounds are of O(log2/2n) and O(n exp 4), respectively. However, the fastest stable parallel algorithms achieve the computation time of O(n) and can be derived by parallelization of the O(n exp 3) serial algorithms. Parallel computation of the O(n exp 3) algorithms requires the development of parallel algorithms for a set of fundamentally different problems, that is, the Newton-Euler formulation, the computation of the inertia matrix, decomposition of the symmetric, positive definite matrix, and the solution of triangular systems. Parallel algorithms for this set of problems are developed which can be efficiently implemented on a unique architecture, a triangular array of n(n+2)/2 processors with a simple nearest-neighbor interconnection. This architecture is particularly suitable for VLSI and WSI implementations. The developed parallel algorithm, compared to the best serial O(n) algorithm, achieves an asymptotic speedup of more than two orders-of-magnitude in the computation the forward dynamics.

Fijany, Amir↗

Digital optical computers at the optoelectronic computing systems center

The Digital Optical Computing Program within the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Opto-electronic Computing Systems has as its specific goal research on optical computing architectures suitable for use at the highest possible speeds. The program can be targeted toward exploiting the time domain because other programs in the Center are pursuing research on parallel optical systems, exploiting optical interconnection and optical devices and materials. Using a general purpose computing architecture as the focus, we are developing design techniques, tools and architecture for operation at the speed of light limit. Experimental work is being done with the somewhat low speed components currently available but with architectures which will scale up in speed as faster devices are developed. The design algorithms and tools developed for a general purpose, stored program computer are being applied to other systems such as optimally controlled optical communication networks.

Jordan, Harry F.↗

A feasibility study on porting the community land model onto accelerators using OpenACC

As environmental models (such as Accelerated Climate Model for Energy (ACME), Parallel Reactive Flow and Transport Model (PFLOTRAN), Arctic Terrestrial Simulator (ATS), etc.) became more and more complicated, we are facing enormous challenges regarding to porting those applications onto hybrid computing architecture. OpenACC appears as a very promising technology, therefore, we have conducted a feasibility analysis on porting the Community Land Model (CLM), a terrestrial ecosystem model within the Community Earth System Models (CESM)). Specifically, we used automatic function testing platform to extract a small computing kernel out of CLM, then we apply this kernel into the actually CLM dataflow procedure, and investigate the strategy of data parallelization and the benefit of data movement provided by current implementation of OpenACC. Even it is a non-intensive kernel, on a single 16-core computing node, the performance (based on the actual computation time using one GPU) of OpenACC implementation is 2.3 time faster than that of OpenMP implementation using single OpenMP thread, but it is 2.8 times slower than the performance of OpenMP implementation using 16 threads. On multiple nodes, MPI_OpenACC implementation demonstrated very good scalability on up to 128 GPUs on 128 computing nodes. This study also provides useful information for us to look into the potential benefits of “deep copy” capability and “routine” feature of OpenACC standards. In conclusion, we believe that our experience on the environmental model, CLM, can be beneficial to many other scientific research programs who are interested to porting their large scale scientific code using OpenACC onto high-end computers, empowered by hybrid computing architecture.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

High End Computing Technologies for Earth Science Applications: Trends, Challenges, and Innovations

Earth science applications of the future will stress the capabilities of even the highest performance supercomputers in the areas of raw compute power, mass storage management, and software environments. These NASA mission critical problems demand usable multi-petaflops and exabyte-scale systems to fully realize their science goals. With an exciting vision of the technologies needed, NASA has established a comprehensive program of advanced research in computer architecture, software tools, and device technology to ensure that, in partnership with US industry, it can meet these demanding requirements with reliable, cost effective, and usable ultra-scale systems. NASA will exploit, explore, and influence emerging high end computing architectures and technologies to accelerate the next generation of engineering, operations, and discovery processes for NASA Enterprises. This article captures this vision and describes the concepts, accomplishments, and the potential payoff of the key thrusts that will help meet the computational challenges in Earth science applications.

Parks, John↗

Streamline Integration Using MPI-Hybrid Parallelism on a Large Multicore Architecture

Streamline computation in a very large vector field data set represents a significant challenge due to the nonlocal and data-dependent nature of streamline integration. In this paper, we conduct a study of the performance characteristics of hybrid parallel programming and execution as applied to streamline integration on a large, multicore platform. With multicore processors now prevalent in clusters and supercomputers, there is a need to understand the impact of these hybrid systems in order to make the best implementation choice. We use two MPI-based distribution approaches based on established parallelization paradigms, parallelize over seeds and parallelize over blocks, and present a novel MPI-hybrid algorithm for each approach to compute streamlines. Our findings indicate that the work sharing between cores in the proposed MPI-hybrid parallel implementation results in much improved performance and consumes less communication and I/O bandwidth than a traditional, nonhybrid distributed implementation.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

An MPI + $X$ implementation of contact global search using Kokkos

This paper describes an approach that seeks to parallelize the spatial search associated with computational contact mechanics. In contact mechanics, the purpose of the spatial search is to find “nearest neighbors,” which is the prelude to an imprinting search that resolves the interactions between the external surfaces of contacting bodies. In particular, we are interested in the contact global search portion of the spatial search associated with this operation on domain-decomposition-based meshes. Specifically, we describe an implementation that combines standard domain-decomposition-based MPI-parallel spatial search with thread-level parallelism (MPI-X) available on advanced computer architectures (those with GPU coprocessors). Our goal is to demonstrate the efficacy of the MPI-X paradigm in the overall contact search. Standard MPI-parallel implementations typically use a domain decomposition of the external surfaces of bodies within the domain in an attempt to efficiently distribute computational work. This decomposition may or may not be the same as the volume decomposition associated with the host physics. The parallel contact global search phase is then employed to find and distribute surface entities (nodes and faces) that are needed to compute contact constraints between entities owned by different MPI ranks without further inter-rank communication. Key steps of the contact global search include computing bounding boxes, building surface entity (node and face) search trees and finding and distributing entities required to complete on-rank (local) spatial searches. To enable source-code portability and performance across a variety of different computer architectures, we implemented the algorithm using the Kokkos hardware abstraction library. While we targeted development towards machines with a GPU accelerator per MPI rank, we also report performance results for OpenMP with a conventional multi-core compute node per rank. Results here demonstrate a 47 % decrease in the time spent within the global search algorithm, comparing the reference ACME algorithm with the GPU implementation, on an 18M face problem using four MPI ranks. As a result, while further work remains to maximize performance on the GPU, this result illustrates the potential of the proposed implementation.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Celeritas: GPU-accelerated particle transport for detector simulation in High Energy Physics experiments

Within the next decade, experimental High Energy Physics (HEP) will enter a new era of scientific discovery through a set of targeted programs recommended by the Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel (P5), including the upcoming High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (LHC) HL-LHC upgrade and the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). These efforts in the Energy and Intensity Frontiers will require an unprecedented amount of computational capacity on many fronts including Monte Carlo (MC) detector simulation. In order to alleviate this impending computational bottleneck, the Celeritas MC particle transport code is designed to leverage the new generation of heterogeneous computer architectures, including the exascale computing power of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Leadership Computing Facilities (LCFs), to model targeted HEP detector problems at the full fidelity of Geant4. This paper presents the planned roadmap for Celeritas, including its proposed code architecture, physics capabilities, and strategies for integrating it with existing and future experimental HEP computing workflows.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗