The High-End Computing Capability and Ziggy: A Flexible, Scalable Science Pipeline Manager
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Incubating advances in integrated photonics with emerging sensing and computational capabilities
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Sourabh Jain↗
Integrated Analysis Capability pilot computer program
An integrated analysis capability (IAC) computer software package was developed for the design analysis and performance evaluation of large space systems. The IAC aids the user in coupling the required technical disciplines (initially structures, thermal and controls), providing analysis solution paths which reveal critical interactive effects in order to study loads, stability and mission performance. Existing technical software modules, having a wide existing user community, are combined with the interface software to bridge between the different technologies and mathematical modeling techniques. The package is supported by executive, data management and interactive graphics software, with primary development within the superminicomputer environment.
Vos, R. G.↗
Combining human and computer interpretation capabilities to analyze ERTS imagery
The human photointerpreter and the computer have complementary capabilities that are exploited in a computer-based data analysis system developed at the Forestry Remote Sensing Laboratory, University of California. This system is designed to optimize the process of extracting resource information from ERTS images. The human has the ability to quickly delineate gross differences in land classes, such as wildland, urban, and agriculture on appropriate ERTS images, and to further break these gross classes into meaningful subclasses. The computer, however, can more efficiently analyze point-by-point spectral information and localized textural information which can result in a much more detailed agricultural or wildland classification based on species composition and/or plant association. These human and computer capabilities have been integrated through the use of an inexpensive small scale computer dedicated to the interactive preprocessing of the human inputs and the display of raw ERTS images and computer classified images. The small computer is linked to a large scale computer system wherein the bulk of the statistical work and the automatic point-by-point classification is done.
Nichols, J. D.↗
Combining human and computer interpretation capabilities to analyze ERTS imagery
Combining human and computer interpretation capabilities to analyze ERTS-1 imagery
Nichols, J. D.↗
A parallel Jacobson-Oksman optimization algorithm
A gradient-dependent optimization technique which exploits the vector-streaming or parallel-computing capabilities of some modern computers is presented. The algorithm, derived by assuming that the function to be minimized is homogeneous, is a modification of the Jacobson-Oksman serial minimization method. In addition to describing the algorithm, conditions insuring the convergence of the iterates of the algorithm and the results of numerical experiments on a group of sample test functions are presented. The results of these experiments indicate that this algorithm will solve optimization problems in less computing time than conventional serial methods on machines having vector-streaming or parallel-computing capabilities.
Straeter, T. A.↗
Study of Fluid Experiment System (FES)/CAST/Holographic Ground System (HGS)
The use of holographic and schlieren optical techniques for studying the concentration gradients in solidification processes has been used by several investigators over the years. The HGS facility at MSFC has been primary resource in researching this capability. Consequently, scientific personnel have been able to utilize these techniques in both ground based research and in space experiments. An important event in the scientific utilization of the HGS facilities was the TGS Crystal Growth and the casting and solidification technology (CAST) experiments that were flown on the International Microgravity Laboratory (IML) mission in March of this year. The preparation and processing of these space observations are the primary experiments reported in this work. This project provides some ground-based studies to optimize on the holographic techniques used to acquire information about the crystal growth processes flown on IML. Since the ground-based studies will be compared with the space-based experimental results, it is necessary to conduct sufficient ground based studies to best determine how the experiment worked in space. The current capabilities in computer based systems for image processing and numerical computation have certainly assisted in those efforts. As anticipated, this study has certainly shown that these advanced computing capabilities are helpful in the data analysis of such experiments.
Workman, Gary L.↗
Study of FES/CAST/HGS
The microgravity materials processing program has been instrumental in providing the crystal growth community with an experimental environment to better understand the phenomena associated with the growing of crystals. In many applications one may pursue the growth of large single crystals which cannot be grown on earth due to convective driven flows. A microgravity environment is characterized by neither convection of buoyancy. Consequently superior crystals are able to be grown in space. On the other hand, since neither convection nor buoyancy dominates the fluid flow in a microgravity environment, then lesser dominating phenomena can affect crystal growth, such as surface driven flows or diffusion limited solidification. In the case of experiments that are to be flown in space using the Fluid Experiments System (FES), diffusion limited growth should be the dominating phenomenon. The use of holographic and Schlieren optical techniques for studying the concentration gradients in solidification processes has been used by several investigators over the years. The Holographic Ground System (HGS) facility at MSFC has been a primary resource in researching this capability. Consequently scientific personnel have been able to utilize these techniques in both ground based research and in space experiments. An important event in the scientific utilization of the HGS facilities was the TGS (triglycine sulfate) Crystal Growth and the Casting and Solidification Technology (CAST) experiments that were flown on the International Microgravity Lab (IML) mission in March of this year. The preparation and processing of these space observations are the primary experiments reported in this work. This project provides some ground-based studies to optimize on the holographic techniques used to acquire information about the crystal growth processes flown on IML. Since the ground-based studies will be compared with the space-based experimental results, it is necessary to conduct sufficient ground based studies to best determine how the experiment in space worked. The current capabilities in computer based systems for image processing and numerical computation have certainly assisted in those efforts. As anticipated, this study has certainly shown that these advanced computing capabilities are helpful in the data analysis of such experiments.
Workman, Gary L.↗
Nonlinear structural analysis for fiber-reinforced superalloy turbine blades
A computational capability for predicting the nonlinear thermomechanical structural response of fiber-reinforced superalloy (FRS) turbine blades is described. This capability is embedded in a special purpose computer code (COBSTRAN) developed at the NASA Lewis Research Center. Special features of this computational capability include accounting for: fiber/matrix reaction, nonlinear and anisotropic material behavior, complex stress distribution due to local and global heterogeneity, and residual stresses due to initial fabrication and/or inelastic behavior during subsequent missions. Numerical results are presented from analyses of a hypothetical FRS turbine blade subjected to a fabrication process and subsequent mission cycle. The results demonstrate the capabilities of this computational tool to; predict local stress/strain response and capture trends of local nonlinear and anisotropic material behavior, relate the effects of this local behavior to the global response of a multilayered fiber-composite turbine blade, and trace material history from fabrication through successive missions.
Hopkins, D. A.↗
Specification and preliminary design of an array processor
The design of a computer suited to the class of problems typified by the general circulation of the atmosphere was investigated. A fundamental goal was that the resulting machine should have roughly 100 times the computing capability of an IBM 360/95 computer. A second requirement was that the machine should be programmable in a higher level language similar to FORTRAN. Moreover, the new machine would have to be compatible with the IBM 360/95 since the IBM machine would continue to be used for pre- and post-processing. A third constraint was that the cost of the new machine was to be significantly less than that of other extant machines of similar computing capability, such as the ILLIAC IV and CDC STAR. A final constraint was that it should be feasible to fabricate a complete system and put it in operation by early 1978. Although these objectives were generally met, considerable work remains to be done on the routing system.
Slotnick, D. L.↗
A Bioinformatics Facility for NASA
Building on an existing prototype, we have fielded a facility with bioinformatics technologies that will help NASA meet its unique requirements for biological research. This facility consists of a cluster of computers capable of performing computationally intensive tasks, software tools, databases and knowledge management systems. Novel computational technologies for analyzing and integrating new biological data and already existing knowledge have been developed. With continued development and support, the facility will fulfill strategic NASA s bioinformatics needs in astrobiology and space exploration. . As a demonstration of these capabilities, we will present a detailed analysis of how spaceflight factors impact gene expression in the liver and kidney for mice flown aboard shuttle flight STS-108. We have found that many genes involved in signal transduction, cell cycle, and development respond to changes in microgravity, but that most metabolic pathways appear unchanged.
Schweighofer, Karl↗
A Novel Method for Characterization of Superconductors: Physical Measurements and Modeling of Thin Films
A method for characterization of granular superconducting thin films has been developed which encompasses both the morphological state of the sample and its fabrication process parameters. The broad scope of this technique is due to the synergism between experimental measurements and their interpretation using numerical simulation. Two novel technologies form the substance of this system: the magnetically modulated resistance method for characterizing superconductors; and a powerful new computer peripheral, the Parallel Information Processor card, which provides enhanced computing capability for PC computers. This enhancement allows PC computers to operate at speeds approaching that of supercomputers. This makes atomic scale simulations possible on low cost machines. The present development of this system involves the integration of these two technologies using mesoscale simulations of thin film growth. A future stage of development will incorporate atomic scale modeling.
Kim, B. F.↗
Production Support Flight Control Computers: Research Capability for F/A-18 Aircraft at Dryden Flight Research Center
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) is working with the United States Navy to complete ground testing and initiate flight testing of a modified set of F/A-18 flight control computers. The Production Support Flight Control Computers (PSFCC) can give any fleet F/A-18 airplane an in-flight, pilot-selectable research control law capability. NASA DFRC can efficiently flight test the PSFCC for the following four reasons: (1) Six F/A-18 chase aircraft are available which could be used with the PSFCC; (2) An F/A-18 processor-in-the-loop simulation exists for validation testing; (3) The expertise has been developed in programming the research processor in the PSFCC; and (4) A well-defined process has been established for clearing flight control research projects for flight. This report presents a functional description of the PSFCC. Descriptions of the NASA DFRC facilities, PSFCC verification and validation process, and planned PSFCC projects are also provided.
Carter, John F.↗
Numerical simulation of free shear flows: Towards a predictive computational aeroacoustics capability
Implicit and explicit spatial differencing techniques with fourth order accuracy have been developed. The implicit technique is based on the Pade compact scheme. A Dispersion Relation Preserving concept has been incorporated into both of the numerical schemes. Two dimensional Euler computation of a spatially-developing free shear flow, with and without external excitation, has been performed to demonstrate the capability of numerical schemes developed. Results are in good agreement with theory and experimental observation regarding the growth rate of fluctuating velocity, the convective velocity, and the vortex-pairing process.
Soh, W. Y.↗
Status of Computational Aerodynamic Modeling Tools for Aircraft Loss-of-Control
A concerted effort has been underway over the past several years to evolve computational capabilities for modeling aircraft loss-of-control under the NASA Aviation Safety Program. A principal goal has been to develop reliable computational tools for predicting and analyzing the non-linear stability & control characteristics of aircraft near stall boundaries affecting safe flight, and for utilizing those predictions for creating augmented flight simulation models that improve pilot training. Pursuing such an ambitious task with limited resources required the forging of close collaborative relationships with a diverse body of computational aerodynamicists and flight simulation experts to leverage their respective research efforts into the creation of NASA tools to meet this goal. Considerable progress has been made and work remains to be done. This paper summarizes the status of the NASA effort to establish computational capabilities for modeling aircraft loss-of-control and offers recommendations for future work.
Frink, Neal T.↗
Structures technology applications for the National AeroSpace Plane
The National AeroSpace Plane (NASP) presents a unique set of very complex structural problems that challenge our computational capabilities. Complex analyses are required in the conceptual design phase to achieve sufficient accuracy to address the extreme load conditions and to adequately evaluate vehicle weight. The computational capability must be available to perform these analyses in a rapid manner to accommodate the design process.
Little, T. E.↗
Scale-Resolving Simulations of Low-Pressure Turbine Cascades with Wall Roughness Using A Spectral-Element Method
The accurate prediction of wall-roughness effects in turbomachinery is becoming critical as turbine designers address airfoil surface quality and degradation concerns arising from the shift to advanced ceramic matrix composite (CMC) or additively-manufactured airfoils operating in higher temperature environments. In this paper, a recently developed computational capability for accurate and efficient scale-resolving simulations of turbomachinery is extended to analyze the boundary- layer separation and transition characteristics in a rough-wall low-pressure turbine (LPT) cascade. The computational capability is based on an entropy-stable discontinuous-Galerkin spectral-element approach that extends to arbitrarily high orders of spatial and temporal accuracy, and is implemented in an efficient manner for a modern high performance computer architecture. Results from the scale-resolving simulations of both smooth and rough airfoil cascades are presented and compared to previous experiments and numerical simulations. The results show that the suction surface boundary layer undergoes laminar separation, transition, and turbulent reattachment for the smooth airfoil cascade, while in the presence of roughness the separation and transition behavior of the suction surface boundary layer is substantially modified. The differences between the smooth and rough airfoil cascades are then highlighted by a detailed analysis of their respective turbulent flow fields.
Spectral-Element↗