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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 253 records · Page 14

Porting a 3D seismic modeling code (SW4) to CORAL machines

Seismic waves fourth order (SW4) solves the seismic wave equations on Cartesian and curvilinear grids using large compute clusters with O (100,000) cores. In this article we discuss the porting of SW4 to run on the CORAL architecture using the RAJA performance portability abstraction layer. The performances of key kernels using RAJA and CUDA are compared to estimate the performance penalty of using the portability abstraction layer. Code changes required for efficiency on GPUs and minimizing time spent in Message Passing Interface (MPI) are discussed. This article describes a path for efficiently porting large code bases to GPU-based machines while avoiding the pitfalls of a new architecture in the early stages of its deployment. Current bottlenecks in the code are discussed along with possible architectural or software mitigations. SW4 runs 28× faster on one 4-GPU CORAL node than on a CTS-1 node (Dual Intel Xeon E5-2695 v4). SW4 is now in routine use on problems of unprecedented resolution (203 billion grid points) and scale on 1,200 nodes of Summit.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Recent advances in thermostructural finite element analysis

A comparison study is described which has indicated that the finite element and lumped parameter methods are comparable for steady-state conduction/convection analyses. The finite element model was advantageous because of the ease of model verification with computer graphics. Some problems encountered in constructing compatible thermal and structural models have indicated the need for further methodology developments to automate the transition between thermal and structural analyses. The need for more efficient finite element nonlinear transient algorithms has been cited. With further development in the thermal analysis area, the finite element method offers high potential for an integrated thermal/structural analysis capability.

Thornton, E. A.↗

BGen: A UML Behavior Network Generator Tool

BGen software was designed for autogeneration of code based on a graphical representation of a behavior network used for controlling automatic vehicles. A common format used for describing a behavior network, such as that used in the JPL-developed behavior-based control system, CARACaS ["Control Architecture for Robotic Agent Command and Sensing" (NPO-43635), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No. 10 (October 2008), page 40] includes a graph with sensory inputs flowing through the behaviors in order to generate the signals for the actuators that drive and steer the vehicle. A computer program to translate Unified Modeling Language (UML) Freeform Implementation Diagrams into a legacy C implementation of Behavior Network has been developed in order to simplify the development of C-code for behavior-based control systems. UML is a popular standard developed by the Object Management Group (OMG) to model software architectures graphically. The C implementation of a Behavior Network is functioning as a decision tree.

Huntsberger, Terry↗

TARGET: Rapid Capture of Process Knowledge

TARGET (Task Analysis/Rule Generation Tool) represents a new breed of tool that blends graphical process flow modeling capabilities with the function of a top-down reporting facility. Since NASA personnel frequently perform tasks that are primarily procedural in nature, TARGET models mission or task procedures and generates hierarchical reports as part of the process capture and analysis effort. Historically, capturing knowledge has proven to be one of the greatest barriers to the development of intelligent systems. Current practice generally requires lengthy interactions between the expert whose knowledge is to be captured and the knowledge engineer whose responsibility is to acquire and represent the expert's knowledge in a useful form. Although much research has been devoted to the development of methodologies and computer software to aid in the capture and representation of some types of knowledge, procedural knowledge has received relatively little attention. In essence, TARGET is one of the first tools of its kind, commercial or institutional, that is designed to support this type of knowledge capture undertaking. This paper will describe the design and development of TARGET for the acquisition and representation of procedural knowledge. The strategies employed by TARGET to support use by knowledge engineers, subject matter experts, programmers and managers will be discussed. This discussion includes the method by which the tool employs its graphical user interface to generate a task hierarchy report. Next, the approach to generate production rules for incorporation in and development of a CLIPS based expert system will be elaborated. TARGET also permits experts to visually describe procedural tasks as a common medium for knowledge refinement by the expert community and knowledge engineer making knowledge consensus possible. The paper briefly touches on the verification and validation issues facing the CLIPS rule generation aspects of TARGET. A description of efforts to support TARGET's interoperability issues on PCs, Macintoshes and UNIX workstations concludes the paper.

Ortiz, C. J.↗

Distributed earth model/orbiter simulation

Distributed Earth Model/Orbiter Simulation (DEMOS) is a network based application developed for the UNIX environment that visually monitors or simulates the Earth and any number of orbiting vehicles. Its purpose is to provide Mission Control Center (MCC) flight controllers with a visually accurate three dimensional (3D) model of the Earth, Sun, Moon and orbiters, driven by real time or simulated data. The project incorporates a graphical user interface, 3D modelling employing state-of-the art hardware, and simulation of orbital mechanics in a networked/distributed environment. The user interface is based on the X Window System and the X Ray toolbox. The 3D modelling utilizes the Programmer's Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System (PHIGS) standard and Raster Technologies hardware for rendering/display performance. The simulation of orbiting vehicles uses two methods of vector propagation implemented with standard UNIX/C for portability. Each part is a distinct process that can run on separate nodes of a network, exploiting each node's unique hardware capabilities. The client/server communication architecture of the application can be reused for a variety of distributed applications.

Geisler, Erik↗

Graphical User Interface for Simulink Integrated Performance Analysis Model

The J-2X Engine (built by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne,) in the Upper Stage of the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle, will only start within a certain range of temperature and pressure for Liquid Hydrogen and Liquid Oxygen propellants. The purpose of the Simulink Integrated Performance Analysis Model is to verify that in all reasonable conditions the temperature and pressure of the propellants are within the required J-2X engine start boxes. In order to run the simulation, test variables must be entered at all reasonable values of parameters such as heat leak and mass flow rate. To make this testing process as efficient as possible in order to save the maximum amount of time and money, and to show that the J-2X engine will start when it is required to do so, a graphical user interface (GUI) was created to allow the input of values to be used as parameters in the Simulink Model, without opening or altering the contents of the model. The GUI must allow for test data to come from Microsoft Excel files, allow those values to be edited before testing, place those values into the Simulink Model, and get the output from the Simulink Model. The GUI was built using MATLAB, and will run the Simulink simulation when the Simulate option is activated. After running the simulation, the GUI will construct a new Microsoft Excel file, as well as a MATLAB matrix file, using the output values for each test of the simulation so that they may graphed and compared to other values.

Durham, R. Caitlyn↗

Computer graphics testbed to simulate and test vision systems for space applications

A system was developed for displaying computer graphics images of space objects and the use of the system was demonstrated as a testbed for evaluating vision systems for space applications. In order to evaluate vision systems, it is desirable to be able to control all factors involved in creating the images used for processing by the vision system. Considerable time and expense is involved in building accurate physical models of space objects. Also, precise location of the model relative to the viewer and accurate location of the light source require additional effort. As part of this project, graphics models of space objects such as the Solarmax satellite are created that the user can control the light direction and the relative position of the object and the viewer. The work is also aimed at providing control of hue, shading, noise and shadows for use in demonstrating and testing imaging processing techniques. The simulated camera data can provide XYZ coordinates, pitch, yaw, and roll for the models. A physical model is also being used to provide comparison of camera images with the graphics images.

Cheatham, John B.↗

SAM Plug-in Development (Phase I Final Report)

The DOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) has created an extensive set of advanced modeling and simulation tools for nuclear engineering analysis. The advanced capabilities of these newer analysis codes require more in-depth training, skills, and knowledge in order to effectively utilize them for the design, analysis, and licensing of advanced nuclear systems and experiments. A high learning curve for inexperienced users may deter organizations from incorporating these tools into their internal processes. This project involved development of a plug-in to the Symbolic Nuclear Analysis Package (SNAP) for the System Analysis Module (SAM) tool. SAM is an advanced system analysis tool for reactor transient analyses being developed at Argonne National Laboratory under the U.S. DOE Office of Nuclear Energy’s Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program. SAM utilizes an object-oriented application framework (MOOSE), and its underlying meshing and finite-element library (libMesh) and linear and non-linear solvers (PETSc), to leverage modern advanced software environments and numerical methods. SNAP provides a highly flexible framework for creating, modifying and documenting input for engineering analysis codes such as SAM as well as extensive functionality for submitting, monitoring, and interacting with the codes through an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI). The common user interface provided by SNAP minimizes the learning curve for engineers starting with a new analysis code and provides an intuitive framework for transitioning between different analysis codes. SNAP provides a powerful but intuitive interface to facilitate access to advanced modeling and simulation tools for inexperienced users. Unlike many “form based” GUI’s, SNAP maps each engineering code’s component input to an internal database which manages all component input parameters along with component interconnections. This level of abstraction permits SNAP to support several advanced capabilities such as renodalization, model validation and consistency checks, embedded documentation, model notebook generation, data ownership and reviewer tracking, and variable assignment for inputs to name a few. SNAP includes a built-in Python interpreter and is interfaced to several commercial and open source packages including CPython, MATLAB/OCTAVE, Microsoft Office, Open Office, and SANDIA’s DAKOTA package which provides Uncertainty Quantification analysis through the SNAP plug-ins. Phase I of this project involved development a fully functional basic SAM plug-in to SNAP. This plug-in provides the ability to import existing models, graphically construct, edit and submit models using SNAP’s extensive functionality.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Search for top squark pair production in a final state with at least one hadronically decaying tau lepton in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 13 TeV

A search for pair production of the supersymmetric partner of the top quark, the top squark, in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 13 TeV is presented in final states containing at least one hadronically decaying tau lepton and large missing transverse momentum. This final state is highly sensitive to scenarios of supersymmetry in which the decay of the top squark to tau leptons is enhanced. The search uses a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb$^{−1}$, which was recorded with the CMS detector during 2016–2018. No significant excess is observed with respect to the standard model predictions. Exclusion limits at 95% confidence level on the masses of the top squark and the lightest neutralino are presented under the assumptions of simplified models. The results probe top squark masses up to 1150 GeV for a nearly massless neutralino. This search covers a relatively less explored parameter space in the context of supersymmetry, and the exclusion limit is the most stringent to date for the model considered here.[graphic not available: see fulltext]

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Information quality-control model

Model serves as graphic tool for estimating complete product objectives from limited input information, and is applied to cost estimations, product-quality evaluations, and effectiveness measurements for manpower resources allocation. Six product quality levels are defined.

Vincent, D. A.↗

NASCAP, a three-dimensional Charging Analyzer Program for complex spacecraft

A computer code, NASCAP (NASA Charging Analyzer Program), has been developed by Systems, Science and Software under contract to NASA-LeRC to simulate the charging of a complex spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. The capabilities of the NASCAP code include a fully three-dimensional solution of Poisson's equation about an object having considerable geometrical and material complexity, particle tracking, shadowing in sunlight, calculation of secondary emission, backscatter and photoemission, and graphical output. A model calculation shows how the NASCAP code may be used to improve our understanding of the spacecraft-plasma interaction.

Katz, I.↗

Applications systems verification and transfer project. Volume 4: Operational applications of satellite snow cover observations. Colorado Field Test Center

The study was conducted on six watersheds ranging in size from 277 km to 3460 km in the Rio Grande and Arkansas River basins of southwestern Colorado. Six years of satellite data in the period 1973-78 were analyzed and snowcover maps prepared for all available image dates. Seven snowmapping techniques were explored; the photointerpretative method was selected as the most accurate. Three schemes to forecast snowmelt runoff employing satellite snowcover observations were investigated. They included a conceptual hydrologic model, a statistical model, and a graphical method. A reduction of 10% in the current average forecast error is estimated when snowcover data in snowmelt runoff forecasting is shown to be extremely promising. Inability to obtain repetitive coverage due to the 18 day cycle of LANDSAT, the occurrence of cloud cover and slow image delivery are obstacles to the immediate implementation of satellite derived snowcover in operational streamflow forecasting programs.

Shafer, B. A.↗

The NASTRAN theoretical manual

Designed to accommodate additions and modifications, this commentary on NASTRAN describes the problem solving capabilities of the program in a narrative fashion and presents developments of the analytical and numerical procedures that underlie the program. Seventeen major sections and numerous subsections cover; the organizational aspects of the program, utility matrix routines, static structural analysis, heat transfer, dynamic structural analysis, computer graphics, special structural modeling techniques, error analysis, interaction between structures and fluids, and aeroelastic analysis.

Source record↗

Studying antiprotons from balloons and Space Station

Experimental measurements are proposed to determine the existence of cosmic antiprotons and to differentiate between various hypothetical origins for them. The balloon-borne experiment proposed by Balasubrahmanyan et al. (1983) for detecting 50-220-MeV antiprotons and measuring their energy distribution is described; the astrophysical significance of antiproton measurements is considered; the antiproton/proton ratios predicted by various cosmic-ray and exotic models are presented graphically; and the performance required of a Space Station superconducting-magnet detector for the 10-1000-GeV range is discussed. It is concluded that an instrument with 0.3-sq m sr geometry could distinguish (at a 5-sigma level) between hypotheses with spectral-exponent separation of 0.1 in observing time about 1 month, assuming a spectral exponent as steep as E to the -3rd.

Ormes, J. F.↗

Analysis of NLR configurations using OCM for pilot modeling

A summary of the results obtained from an analytic handling qualities analysis of the rate-command/attitude-hold aircraft configurations is presented. Pilot/vehicle performance was evaluated using an optimal control technique for pilot modeling. Numerical and graphical results for a closed-loop frequency-domain analysis are presented and discussed and comparisons with experimental results are made. Finally, the results are compared with those from another study that dealt with similar configurations.

Drajeske, M. H.↗

How many upper Eocene microspherule layers: More than we thought

The scientific controversy over the origin of upper Eocene tektites, microtektites and other microspherules cannot be logically resolved until it is determined just how many events are involved. The microspherule-bearing beds in marine sediments have been dated using standard biozonal techniques. Although a powerful stratigraphic tool, zonal biostratigraph has its limitations. One is that if an event, such as a microspherule occurrence, is observed to occur in a zone at one locality and then a similar event observed in the same zone at another locality, it still may be unwarranted to conclude that these events exactly correlate. To be in a zone a sample only need be between the fossil events that define the zone boundaries. It is often very difficult to accurately determine where within a zone one might be. Further, the zone defining events do not everywhere occur at the same points in time. That is, the ranges of the defining taxa are not always filled. Thus, the length of time represented by a zone (but not, of course, its chronozone) can vary from place to place. These problems can be offset by use of chronostratigraphic modelling techniques such as Graphic Correlation. This technique was used to build a Cretaceous and Cenozoic model containing fossil, magnetopolarity, and other events. The scale of the model can be demonstrated to be linear with time. This model was used to determine the chronostratigraphic position of upper Eocene microspherule layers.

Hazel, Joseph E.↗