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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 325 records · Page 18

Investigation of Air Transportation Technology at Princeton University, 1989-1990

The Air Transportation Technology Program at Princeton University proceeded along six avenues during the past year: microburst hazards to aircraft; machine-intelligent, fault tolerant flight control; computer aided heuristics for piloted flight; stochastic robustness for flight control systems; neural networks for flight control; and computer aided control system design. These topics are briefly discussed, and an annotated bibliography of publications that appeared between January 1989 and June 1990 is given.

Stengel, Robert F.↗

A Numerical Simulation and Statistical Modeling of High Intensity Radiated Fields Experiment Data

Tests are conducted on a quad-redundant fault tolerant flight control computer to establish upset characteristics of an avionics system in an electromagnetic field. A numerical simulation and statistical model are described in this work to analyze the open loop experiment data collected in the reverberation chamber at NASA LaRC as a part of an effort to examine the effects of electromagnetic interference on fly-by-wire aircraft control systems. By comparing thousands of simulation and model outputs, the models that best describe the data are first identified and then a systematic statistical analysis is performed on the data. All of these efforts are combined which culminate in an extrapolation of values that are in turn used to support previous efforts used in evaluating the data.

Smith, Laura J.↗

Method and apparatus for fault tolerance

A method and apparatus for achieving fault tolerance in a computer system having at least a first central processing unit and a second central processing unit. The method comprises the steps of first executing a first algorithm in the first central processing unit on input which produces a first output as well as a certification trail. Next, executing a second algorithm in the second central processing unit on the input and on at least a portion of the certification trail which produces a second output. The second algorithm has a faster execution time than the first algorithm for a given input. Then, comparing the first and second outputs such that an error result is produced if the first and second outputs are not the same. The step of executing a first algorithm and the step of executing a second algorithm preferably takes place over essentially the same time period.

Masson, Gerald M.↗

Improved Fermion Hamiltonians for Quantum Simulations

Constructing improved hamiltonians for gauge theories coupled to fermonic matter will be important for improving continuum limit extrapolations of quantum computations. In this talk we will present a formulation for simulating ASQTAD fermions for lattice computation and provide fault tolerant resource costs in terms of primitive group operations. We additionally show that the scaling of energies with respect to the lattice spacing are better than for the unimproved Hamiltonian for toy models.

Erik Joseph Gustafson↗

Improved Fermion Hamiltonians for Quantum Simulations

Constructing improved hamiltonians for gauge theories coupled to fermonic matter will be important for improving continuum limit extrapolations of quantum computations. In this talk we will present a formulation for simulating ASQTAD fermions for lattice computation and provide fault tolerant resource costs in terms of primitive group operations. We additionally show that the scaling of energies with respect to the lattice spacing are better than for the unimproved Hamiltonian for toy models.

Erik Gustafson↗

Improved Fermion Hamiltonians for Quantum Simulations

Constructing improved hamiltonians for gauge theories coupled to fermonic matter will be important for improving continuum limit extrapolations of quantum computations. In this talk we will present a formulation for simulating ASQTAD fermions for lattice computation and provide fault tolerant resource costs in terms of primitive group operations. We additionally show that the scaling of energies with respect to the lattice spacing are better than for the unimproved Hamiltonian for toy models.

Quantum Algorithms↗

Measuring quasiparticle dynamics for particle impact reconstruction in a superconducting qubit chip

Quasiparticle poisoning following particle impacts poses a significant challenge to the development of fault-tolerant superconducting quantum computers, as a sudden excess of quasiparticles can simultaneously degrade the coherence of multiple qubits across large device arrays. In this work, we present a statistical analysis that models the time evolution of radiation-induced qubit energy relaxation through quasiparticle density dynamics. This study provides insight into quasiparticle loss processes by distinguishing between recombination and trapping decay channels and assessing their respective impact on qubit performance. We precisely measure quasiparticle recombination in multiple transmon qubits and uncover an unexpected dependence of qubit relaxation dynamics on deposited energy. By linking correlated relaxation events across qubits to ballistic phonon propagation, we introduce a statistical localization approach to extract the energy deposited in the substrate, which is in good agreement with Monte Carlo simulation. This work establishes the quantitative framework for using an arbitrary subset of superconducting transmon qubits in a QPU as energy-resolving witness particle detectors.

Celi, E. [Northwestern U.]↗

Navigation Ground Data System Engineering for the Cassini/Huygens Mission

The launch of the Cassini/Huygens mission on October 15, 1997, began a seven year journey across the solar system that culminated in the entry of the spacecraft into Saturnian orbit on June 30, 2004. Cassini/Huygens Spacecraft Navigation is the result of a complex interplay between several teams within the Cassini Project, performed on the Ground Data System. The work of Spacecraft Navigation involves rigorous requirements for accuracy and completeness carried out often under uncompromising critical time pressures. To support the Navigation function, a fault-tolerant, high-reliability/high-availability computational environment was necessary to support data processing. Configuration Management (CM) was integrated with fault tolerant design and security engineering, according to the cornerstone principles of Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. Integrated with this approach are security benchmarks and validation to meet strict confidence levels. In addition, similar approaches to CM were applied in consideration of the staffing and training of the system administration team supporting this effort. As a result, the current configuration of this computational environment incorporates a secure, modular system, that provides for almost no downtime during tour operations.

Beswick, R. M.↗

Parallel NPARC: Implementation and Performance

Version 3 of the NPARC Navier-Stokes code includes support for large-grain (block level) parallelism using explicit message passing between a heterogeneous collection of computers. This capability has the potential for significant performance gains, depending upon the block data distribution. The parallel implementation uses a master/worker arrangement of processes. The master process assigns blocks to workers, controls worker actions, and provides remote file access for the workers. The processes communicate via explicit message passing using an interface library which provides portability to a number of message passing libraries, such as PVM (Parallel Virtual Machine). A Bourne shell script is used to simplify the task of selecting hosts, starting processes, retrieving remote files, and terminating a computation. This script also provides a simple form of fault tolerance. An analysis of the computational performance of NPARC is presented, using data sets from an F/A-18 inlet study and a Rocket Based Combined Cycle Engine analysis. Parallel speedup and overall computational efficiency were obtained for various NPARC run parameters on a cluster of IBM RS6000 workstations. The data show that although NPARC performance compares favorably with the estimated potential parallelism, typical data sets used with previous versions of NPARC will often need to be reblocked for optimum parallel performance. In one of the cases studied, reblocking increased peak parallel speedup from 3.2 to 11.8.

Townsend, S. E.↗

A research program in advanced information systems

Topics addressed cover: identification of large space structure dynamics; special-purpose architectures for computational fluid dynamics; fault-tolerant processor architectures; data flow techniques; software specification and verification tools; management of software development; software environment for concurrent computing; and parallel algorithms and architectures for the solution of partial differential equations.

Vandervelde, Wallace E.↗

Distributed computing system with dual independent communications paths between computers and employing split tokens

This is a distributed computing system providing flexible fault tolerance; ease of software design and concurrency specification; and dynamic balance of the loads. The system comprises a plurality of computers each having a first input/output interface and a second input/output interface for interfacing to communications networks each second input/output interface including a bypass for bypassing the associated computer. A global communications network interconnects the first input/output interfaces for providing each computer the ability to broadcast messages simultaneously to the remainder of the computers. A meshwork communications network interconnects the second input/output interfaces providing each computer with the ability to establish a communications link with another of the computers bypassing the remainder of computers. Each computer is controlled by a resident copy of a common operating system. Communications between respective ones of computers is by means of split tokens each having a moving first portion which is sent from computer to computer and a resident second portion which is disposed in the memory of at least one of computer and wherein the location of the second portion is part of the first portion. The split tokens represent both functions to be executed by the computers and data to be employed in the execution of the functions. The first input/output interfaces each include logic for detecting a collision between messages and for terminating the broadcasting of a message whereby collisions between messages are detected and avoided.

Rasmussen, Robert D.↗

Modeling and measurement of fault-tolerant multiprocessors

The workload effects on computer performance are addressed first for a highly reliable unibus multiprocessor used in real-time control. As an approach to studing these effects, a modified Stochastic Petri Net (SPN) is used to describe the synchronous operation of the multiprocessor system. From this model the vital components affecting performance can be determined. However, because of the complexity in solving the modified SPN, a simpler model, i.e., a closed priority queuing network, is constructed that represents the same critical aspects. The use of this model for a specific application requires the partitioning of the workload into job classes. It is shown that the steady state solution of the queuing model directly produces useful results. The use of this model in evaluating an existing system, the Fault Tolerant Multiprocessor (FTMP) at the NASA AIRLAB, is outlined with some experimental results. Also addressed is the technique of measuring fault latency, an important microscopic system parameter. Most related works have assumed no or a negligible fault latency and then performed approximate analyses. To eliminate this deficiency, a new methodology for indirectly measuring fault latency is presented.

Shin, K. G.↗

Fault tolerant software modules for SIFT

The implementation of software fault tolerance is investigated for critical modules of the Software Implemented Fault Tolerance (SIFT) operating system to support the computational and reliability requirements of advanced fly by wire transport aircraft. Fault tolerant designs generated for the error reported and global executive are examined. A description of the alternate routines, implementation requirements, and software validation are included.

Hecht, M.↗

Responsive systems - The challenge for the nineties

A concept of responsive computer systems will be introduced. The emerging responsive systems demand fault-tolerant and real-time performance in parallel and distributed computing environments. The design methodologies for fault-tolerant, real time and responsive systems will be presented. Novel techniques of introducing redundancy for improved performance and dependability will be illustrated. The methods of system responsiveness evaluation will be proposed. The issues of determinism, closed and open systems will also be discussed from the perspective of responsive systems design.

Malek, Miroslaw↗

Stochastic Stability of Sampled Data Systems with a Jump Linear Controller

In this paper an equivalence between the stochastic stability of a sampled-data system and its associated discrete-time representation is established. The sampled-data system consists of a deterministic, linear, time-invariant, continuous-time plant and a stochastic, linear, time-invariant, discrete-time, jump linear controller. The jump linear controller models computer systems and communication networks that are subject to stochastic upsets or disruptions. This sampled-data model has been used in the analysis and design of fault-tolerant systems and computer-control systems with random communication delays without taking into account the inter-sample response. This paper shows that the known equivalence between the stability of a deterministic sampled-data system and the associated discrete-time representation holds even in a stochastic framework.

Gonzalez, Oscar R.↗

Stochastic Stability of Nonlinear Sampled Data Systems with a Jump Linear Controller

This paper analyzes the stability of a sampled- data system consisting of a deterministic, nonlinear, time- invariant, continuous-time plant and a stochastic, discrete- time, jump linear controller. The jump linear controller mod- els, for example, computer systems and communication net- works that are subject to stochastic upsets or disruptions. This sampled-data model has been used in the analysis and design of fault-tolerant systems and computer-control systems with random communication delays without taking into account the inter-sample response. To analyze stability, appropriate topologies are introduced for the signal spaces of the sampled- data system. With these topologies, the ideal sampling and zero-order-hold operators are shown to be measurable maps. This paper shows that the known equivalence between the stability of a deterministic, linear sampled-data system and its associated discrete-time representation as well as between a nonlinear sampled-data system and a linearized representation holds even in a stochastic framework.

Gonzalez, Oscar R.↗

Algorithm-Based Fault Tolerance Integrated with Replication

In a proposed approach to programming and utilization of commercial off-the-shelf computing equipment, a combination of algorithm-based fault tolerance (ABFT) and replication would be utilized to obtain high degrees of fault tolerance without incurring excessive costs. The basic idea of the proposed approach is to integrate ABFT with replication such that the algorithmic portions of computations would be protected by ABFT, and the logical portions by replication. ABFT is an extremely efficient, inexpensive, high-coverage technique for detecting and mitigating faults in computer systems used for algorithmic computations, but does not protect against errors in logical operations surrounding algorithms.

Some, Raphael↗