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At least 613 records · Page 34

Neuromorphic intermediate representation: A unified instruction set for interoperable brain-inspired computing

Abstract Spiking neural networks and neuromorphic hardware platforms that simulate neuronal dynamics are getting wide attention and are being applied to many relevant problems using Machine Learning. Despite a well-established mathematical foundation for neural dynamics, there exists numerous software and hardware solutions and stacks whose variability makes it difficult to reproduce findings. Here, we establish a common reference frame for computations in digital neuromorphic systems, titled Neuromorphic Intermediate Representation (NIR). NIR defines a set of computational and composable model primitives as hybrid systems combining continuous-time dynamics and discrete events. By abstracting away assumptions around discretization and hardware constraints, NIR faithfully captures the computational model, while bridging differences between the evaluated implementation and the underlying mathematical formalism. NIR supports an unprecedented number of neuromorphic systems, which we demonstrate by reproducing three spiking neural network models of different complexity across 7 neuromorphic simulators and 4 digital hardware platforms. NIR decouples the development of neuromorphic hardware and software, enabling interoperability between platforms and improving accessibility to multiple neuromorphic technologies. We believe that NIR is a key next step in brain-inspired hardware-software co-evolution, enabling research towards the implementation of energy efficient computational principles of nervous systems. NIR is available atneuroir.org

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

Quantification of uncertainties in composites

An integrated methodology is developed for computationally simulating the probabilistic composite material properties at all composite scales. The simulation requires minimum input consisting of the description of uncertainties at the lowest scale (fiber and matrix constituents) of the composite and in the fabrication process variables. The methodology allows the determination of the sensitivity of the composite material behavior to all the relevant primitive variables. This information is crucial for reducing the undesirable scatter in composite behavior at its macro scale by reducing the uncertainties in the most influential primitive variables at the micro scale. The methodology is computationally efficient. The computational time required by the methodology described herein is an order of magnitude less than that for Monte Carlo Simulation. The methodology has been implemented into the computer code PICAN (Probabilistic Integrated Composite ANalyzer). The accuracy and efficiency of the methodology/code are demonstrated by simulating the uncertainties in the heat-transfer, thermal, and mechanical properties of a typical laminate and comparing the results with the Monte Carlo simulation method and experimental data. The important observation is that the computational simulation for probabilistic composite mechanics has sufficient flexibility to capture the observed scatter in composite properties.

Liaw, D. G.↗

Automated Test for NASA CFS

The core Flight System (cFS) is a flight software (FSW) product line developed by the Flight Software Systems Branch (FSSB) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The cFS uses compile-time configuration parameters to implement variable requirements to enable portability across embedded computing platforms and to implement different end-user functional needs. The verification and validation of these requirements is proving to be a significant challenge. This paper describes the challenges facing the cFS and the results of a pilot effort to apply EXB Solution's testing approach to the cFS applications.

Flight software↗

Adaptive independent joint control of manipulators - Theory and experiment

The author presents a simple decentralized adaptive control scheme for multijoint robot manipulators based on the independent joint control concept. The proposed control scheme for each joint consists of a PID (proportional integral and differential) feedback controller and a position-velocity-acceleration feedforward controller, both with adjustable gains. The static and dynamic couplings that exist between the joint motions are compensated by the adaptive independent joint controllers while ensuring trajectory tracking. The proposed scheme is implemented on a MicroVAX II computer for motion control of the first three joints of a PUMA 560 arm. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate that trajectory tracking is achieved despite strongly coupled, highly nonlinear joint dynamics. The results confirm that the proposed decentralized adaptive control of manipulators is feasible, in spite of strong interactions between joint motions. The control scheme presented is computationally very fast and is amenable to parallel processing implementation within a distributed computing architecture, where each joint is controlled independently by a simple algorithm on a dedicated microprocessor.

Seraji, H.↗

Classical Benchmarks for Variational Quantum Eigensolver Simulations of the Hubbard Model

Simulating the Hubbard model is of great interest to a wide range of applications within condensed matter physics, however its solution on classical computers remains challenging in dimensions larger than one. The relative simplicity of this model, embodied by the sparseness of the Hamiltonian matrix, allows for its efficient implementation on quantum computers, and for its approximate solution using variational algorithms such as the variational quantum eigensolver. While these algorithms have been shown to reproduce the qualitative features of the Hubbard model, their quantitative accuracy in terms of producing true ground state energies and other properties, and the dependence of this accuracy on the system size and interaction strength, the choice of variational ansatz, and the degree of spatial inhomogeneity in the model, remains unknown. Here we present a rigorous classical benchmarking study, demonstrating the potential impact of these factors on the accuracy of the variational solution of the Hubbard model on quantum hardware, for systems with up to 32 qubits. We find that even when using the most accurate wavefunction ansätze for the Hubbard model, the error in its ground state energy and wavefunction plateaus for larger lattices, while stronger electronic correlations magnify this issue. Concurrently, spatially inhomogeneous parameters and the presence of off-site Coulomb interactions only have a small effect on the accuracy of the computed ground state energies. Our study highlights the capabilities and limitations of current approaches for solving the Hubbard model on quantum hardware, and we discuss potential future avenues of research.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Geometry requirements for unsteady aerodynamics in aeroelastic analysis and design

Aircraft geometry requirements for unsteady aerodynamic computations are discussed and differences between requirements for steady and unsteady flow are emphasized within the framework of a general potential-flow aerodynamic formulation. Its implementation in a computer program called SOUSSA (Steady, Oscillatory, and Unsteady Subsonic and Supersonic Aerodynamic is detailed.

Yates, E. C., Jr.↗

Rotorcraft airframe structural optimization for combined vibration and fatigue constraints

This paper addresses the application of a formal optimization technique in rotorcraft airframe structural design studies to reduce the structural weight, to lower airframe vibrations, and to enhance fatigue life of the structure. Vibration and fatigue considerations in airframe design are described. An optimization methodology based on the use of a nonlinear programming technique to size airframe structural members subjected to constraints on weight, vibration response and fatigue stresses under dynamic loads, are described. The paper focuses on the development of necessary computational tools for airframe structural optimization and describes the sensitivity analysis procedure for these types of design constraints. Further, the paper describes the optimization procedure as implemented in a computer code called DYNOPT which is a unique operational combination of several newly developed Fortran codes as well as modification of existing codes consisting of the direct matrix abstraction modules of the MSC/NASTRAN Program and CONMIN optimizer. The application of the optimization procedure is demonstrated using an elastic-line model of the Bell AH-1G helicopter airframe structure and computational results are discussed.

Sareen, Ashish K.↗

Motion Cueing Algorithm Development: New Motion Cueing Program Implementation and Tuning

A computer program has been developed for the purpose of driving the NASA Langley Research Center Visual Motion Simulator (VMS). This program includes two new motion cueing algorithms, the optimal algorithm and the nonlinear algorithm. A general description of the program is given along with a description and flowcharts for each cueing algorithm, and also descriptions and flowcharts for subroutines used with the algorithms. Common block variable listings and a program listing are also provided. The new cueing algorithms have a nonlinear gain algorithm implemented that scales each aircraft degree-of-freedom input with a third-order polynomial. A description of the nonlinear gain algorithm is given along with past tuning experience and procedures for tuning the gain coefficient sets for each degree-of-freedom to produce the desired piloted performance. This algorithm tuning will be needed when the nonlinear motion cueing algorithm is implemented on a new motion system in the Cockpit Motion Facility (CMF) at the NASA Langley Research Center.

Houck, Jacob A.↗

Description of a computer simulation of an orbital SAR system

In order to predict the performance of a synthetic aperture radar for a wide variety of system and environmental parameters a computer simulation of the SAR system was developed. This model is a detailed description of the SAR imaging process on a pulse-by-pulse basis. The simulation is implemented as seven computer programs for a CDC Cyber 171 digital computer.

Crow, G. L.↗

A finite-element alternating method for two-dimensional Mode-1 crack configurations

A finite-element alternating method is presented for 2-D Mode-1 crack problems. An analytical solution for an arbitrary polynomial normal pressure distribution applied to the crack faces is obtained and used as the basic solution in the method. The method is applied to several crack problems to study its efficiency and the results are compared to accurate stress-intensity factor solutions in the literature. The method gave reasonably accurate stress-intensity factors and crack opening displacements with minimal computing effort. Because the method must model only the uncracked body, finite-element models with many degrees of freedom are not warranted and therefore, the method has been implemented on personal computers.

Raju, I. S.↗

A finite-element alternating method for two dimensional mode I crack configurations

A finite-element alternating method is presented for two-dimensional Mode-1 crack problems. An analytical solution for an arbitrary polynomial normal pressure distribution applied to the crack faces is obtained and used as the basic solution in the method. The method is applied to several crack problems to study its efficiency and the results are compared to accurate stress-intensity factor solutions in the literature. The method gave reasonably accurate stress-intensity factors and crack opening displacements with minimal computing effort. Because the method must model only the uncracked body, finite-element models with many degrees of freedom are not warranted and therefore, the method has been implemented on personal computers.

Raju, I. S.↗

Implementation of the Lanczos eigen-solver for the CSI code on high performance computers

The focus of this research is to implement a Lanczos algorithm for the Control-Structure Integration (CSI) code which can exploit both parallel and vector capabilities provided by modern, high performance computers. A partial restoring orthogonality scheme is also developed and incorporated into the basic Lanczos algorithm. The numerical performance of the proposed parallel-vector Lanczos algorithm is demonstrated by solving for the frequencies and mode shapes of the Phase Zero CSI model. The superior performance of the Lanczos algorithm is illustrated in tabular form.

Nguyen, Duc T.↗

Development of a Method for Shape Optimization for a Gas Turbine Fuel Injector Design Using Metal-Additive Manufacturing

Adjoint shape optimization has enabled physics-based optimal designs for aerodynamic surfaces. Additive manufacturing (AM) makes it possible to manufacture complex shapes. However, there has been a gap between optimal and manufacturable surfaces due to the inherent limitations of commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes to implement geometric constraints during adjoint computation. In such cases, the design sensitivities are exported and used to perform constrained shape modifications using parametric information stored in computer aided design (CAD) files to satisfy manufacturability constraints. However, modifying the design using adjoint methods in CFD solvers and performing constrained shape modification in CAD can lead to inconsistencies due to different shape parameterization schemes. This paper describes a method to enable the simultaneous optimization of the fluid domain and impose AM manufacturability constraints, resolving one of the key issues of geometry definition for isogeometric analysis. Similar to a grid convergence study, the proposed method verifies the consistencies between shape parameterization techniques present within commercial CAD and CFD software during mesh movement as a part of the adjoint shape optimization routine. By identifying the appropriate parameters essential to a shape optimization study, the error metric between the different parameterization techniques converges to demonstrate sufficient consistencies for justifiable exchange of data between CAD and CFD. For the identified shape optimization parameters, the error metric to measure the deviation between the two parameterization schemes lies within the AM laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF) process tolerance. Additionally, comparison for subsequent objective function calculations between iterations of the optimization loop showed acceptable differences within 1% variation between the modified geometries obtained using the two parameterization schemes. This method provides justification for the use of multiphysics guided adjoint design sensitivities computed in CFD software to perform shape modifications in CAD to incorporate AM manufacturability constraints during the shape optimization loop such that optimal designs are also additively manufacturable.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Users guide for guidance and control Launch and Abort Simulation for Spacecraft (LASS), volume 1

The mathematical models and computer program which are used to implement LASS are described. The computer program provides for a simulation of boost to orbit and abort capability from boost trajectories to a prescribed target. The abort target provides a decision point for engine shutdown from which the vehicle coasts to the vicinity of the selected abort recovery site. The simulation is a six degree of freedom simulation describing a rigid body. The vehicle is influenced by forces and moments from nondistributed aerodynamics. An adaptive autopilot is provided to control vehicle attitudes during powered and unpowered flight. A conventional autopilot is provided for study of vehicle during powered flight.

Havig, T. F.↗

Implementation of a research prototype onboard fault monitoring and diagnosis system

Due to the dynamic and complex nature of in-flight fault monitoring and diagnosis, a research effort was undertaken at NASA Langley Research Center to investigate the application of artificial intelligence techniques for improved situational awareness. Under this research effort, concepts were developed and a software architecture was designed to address the complexities of onboard monitoring and diagnosis. This paper describes the implementation of these concepts in a computer program called FaultFinder. The implementation of the monitoring, diagnosis, and interface functions as separate modules is discussed, as well as the blackboard designed for the communication of these modules. Some related issues concerning the future installation of FaultFinder in an aircraft are also discussed.

Palmer, Michael T.↗

Computational methods and software systems for dynamics and control of large space structures

The deployment, assembly and mission-oriented maneuvering of space structures in orbit will trigger large motions of flexible, truss-type structures. In addition, the presence of on-board controls both for attitude stabilization and specified vibration tolerance requirements may further complicate the dynamic behavior of the orbiting structures. Because of safety and cost considerations, the dynamic response of the combined structural and control systems must be predicted reliably. This need can only be met through the development of reliable and efficient simulation capabilities, since there is general agreement that on-orbit experiments should be limited because of cost, time and facility constraints. The long-term objective of this research effort is to develop a next-generation computer simulator for the dynamics and control of large space structures. The simulator will be based on integrating four research thrusts: a new multibody dynamics formulation methodology, modeling capabilities in long/slender truss-beam components with realistic joints, efficient computational procedures that can be implemented either in sequential or concurrent computers, and prototype simulation modules that can be easily processed into a modern large-scale engineering software system such as the NASA/Computational Structural Mechanics (CSM) testbed.

Park, K. C.↗

Systematic generation of multibody equations of motion suitable for recursive and parallel manipulation

The formulation of a method known as the joint coordinate method for automatic generation of the equations of motion for multibody systems is summarized. For systems containing open or closed kinematic loops, the equations of motion can be reduced systematically to a minimum number of second order differential equations. The application of recursive and nonrecursive algorithms to this formulation, computational considerations and the feasibility of implementing this formulation on multiprocessor computers are discussed.

Nikravesh, Parviz E.↗