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At least 1,801 records · Page 100

Automating Software Productivity Planning: Lightweight Tools for Upgrading Team Practices

A lightweight iterative workflow, called Productivity and Sustainability Improvement Planning (PSIP) has been developed to assist software teams with employing good software engineering practices. Three PSIP tools automate practice summarization, self-assessment, and progress tracking to enhance team engagement around software process improvement: Reposcanner, RateYourProject (RYP) and Progress Tracking Cards (PTCs) respectively. Reposcanner is a data analysis tool. RYP is an interactive self-assessment tool that provides an easy-to-use entry point to the PSIP process. Once process improvements are identified, PTCs are created by teams to measure outcomes and progression toward their goals. We present an exemplifying case study with a software team where these tools have been put to use, along with a description of the tools, and future plans for further improvements.

Raybourn, Elaine↗

Livermore tomography tools: Accurate, fast, and flexible software for tomographic science

Livermore Tomography Tools (LTT) is a customizable scientific software package that enables a broad range of research and development efforts into computed tomography (CT). Here, it was developed to process x-ray and neutron CT data accurately and rapidly from raw detector counts to reconstructed volumes with the flexibility to handle many special cases. LTT fulfills long-term CT software goals to provide quantitatively accurate results reported in physical units (e.g., mm -1 or cm -1 ) while exploiting all available computational advantages to maximize speed. Written in C/C++ with support for multiple CPUs and GPUs, LTT runs on many computing platforms (Linux/Unix, Windows, and Mac; laptops to supercomputers). As a result, LTT can:process data acquired from various custom-built and commercially available CT scanners, model and simulate x-ray and neutron interactions to encourage algorithm prototyping, and allow for rapid insertion of the latest algorithms.We describe LTT’s software architecture, user interfaces, and its 88 algorithms (as of this writing) for pre-processing, reconstruction, post-processing, and simulation that support many scanner geometries (parallel-, fan-, cone-beam, and custom). Several applications are presented that illustrate LTT’s accuracy, speed, and flexibility relative to other solutions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Optimization of Microelectronic Devices for Sensor Applications

The NASA/JPL goal to reduce payload in future space missions while increasing mission capability demands miniaturization of active and passive sensors, analytical instruments and communication systems among others. Currently, typical system requirements include the detection of particular spectral lines, associated data processing, and communication of the acquired data to other systems. Advances in lithography and deposition methods result in more advanced devices for space application, while the sub-micron resolution currently available opens a vast design space. Though an experimental exploration of this widening design space-searching for optimized performance by repeated fabrication efforts-is unfeasible, it does motivate the development of reliable software design tools. These tools necessitate models based on fundamental physics and mathematics of the device to accurately model effects such as diffraction and scattering in opto-electronic devices, or bandstructure and scattering in heterostructure devices. The software tools must have convenient turn-around times and interfaces that allow effective usage. The first issue is addressed by the application of high-performance computers and the second by the development of graphical user interfaces driven by properly developed data structures. These tools can then be integrated into an optimization environment, and with the available memory capacity and computational speed of high performance parallel platforms, simulation of optimized components can proceed. In this paper, specific applications of the electromagnetic modeling of infrared filtering, as well as heterostructure device design will be presented using genetic algorithm global optimization methods.

Cwik, Tom↗

HL-LHC Computing Review Stage 2, Common Software Projects: Data Science Tools for Analysis

This paper was prepared by the HEP Software Foundation (HSF) PyHEP Working Group as input to the second phase of the LHCC review of High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) computing, which took place in November, 2021. It describes the adoption of Python and data science tools in HEP, discusses the likelihood of future scenarios, and recommendations for action by the HEP community.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

GIDEP Batching Tool

This software provides internal, automated search mechanics of GIDEP (Government- Industry Data Exchange Program) Alert data imported from the GIDEP government Web site. The batching tool allows the import of a single parts list in tab-delimited text format into the local JPL GIDEP database. Delimiters from every part number are removed. The original part numbers with delimiters are compared, as well as the newly generated list without the delimiters. The two lists run against the GIDEP imports, and output any matches. This feature only works with Netscape 2.0 or greater, or Internet Explorer 4.0 or greater. The user selects the browser button to choose a text file to import. When the submit button is pressed, this script will import alerts from the text file into the local JPL GIDEP database. This batch tool provides complete in-house control over exported material and data for automated batch match abilities. The batching tool has the ability to match capabilities of the parts list to tables, and yields results that aid further research and analysis. This provides more control over GIDEP information for metrics and reports information not provided by the government site. This software yields results quickly and gives more control over external data from the government site in order to generate other reports not available from the external source. There is enough space to store years of data. The program relates to risk identification and management with regard to projects and GIDEP alert information encompassing flight parts for space exploration.

Fong, Danny↗

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Uplink Analysis Tool

This software analyzes Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) orbital geometry with respect to Mars Exploration Rover (MER) contact windows, and is the first tool of its kind designed specifically to support MRO-MER interface coordination. Prior to this automated tool, this analysis was done manually with Excel and the UNIX command line. In total, the process would take approximately 30 minutes for each analysis. The current automated analysis takes less than 30 seconds. This tool resides on the flight machine and uses a PHP interface that does the entire analysis of the input files and takes into account one-way light time from another input file. Input flies are copied over to the proper directories and are dynamically read into the tool s interface. The user can then choose the corresponding input files based on the time frame desired for analysis. After submission of the Web form, the tool merges the two files into a single, time-ordered listing of events for both spacecraft. The times are converted to the same reference time (Earth Transmit Time) by reading in a light time file and performing the calculations necessary to shift the time formats. The program also has the ability to vary the size of the keep-out window on the main page of the analysis tool by inputting a custom time for padding each MRO event time. The parameters on the form are read in and passed to the second page for analysis. Everything is fully coded in PHP and can be accessed by anyone with access to the machine via Web page. This uplink tool will continue to be used for the duration of the MER mission's needs for X-band uplinks. Future missions also can use the tools to check overflight times as well as potential site observation times. Adaptation of the input files to the proper format, and the window keep-out times, would allow for other analyses. Any operations task that uses the idea of keep-out windows will have a use for this program.

Khanampompan, Teerapat↗

OTEC Cold Water Pipe-Platform Subsystem Dynamic Interaction Validation

A commercial floating 100-megawatt (MW) ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) power plant will require a cold water pipe (CWP) with a diameter of 10-meter (m) and length of up to 1,000 m. The mass of the cold water pipe, including entrained water, can exceed the mass of the platform supporting it. The offshore industry uses software-modeling tools to develop platform and riser (pipe) designs to survive the offshore environment. These tools are typically validated by scale model tests in facilities able to replicate real at-sea meteorological and ocean (metocean) conditions to provide the understanding and confidence to proceed to final design and full-scale fabrication. However, today’s offshore platforms (similar to and usually larger than those needed for OTEC applications) incorporate risers (or pipes) with diameters well under one meter. Secondly, the preferred construction method for large diameter OTEC CWPs is the use of composite materials, primarily a form of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP). The use of these material results in relatively low pipe stiffness and large strains compared to steel construction. These factors suggest the need for further validation of offshore industry software tools. The purpose of this project was to validate the ability to model numerically the dynamic interaction between a large cold water-filled fiberglass pipe and a floating OTEC platform excited by metocean weather conditions using measurements from a scale model tested in an ocean basin test facility.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Pre- and Post-Processing Tools to Streamline the CFD Process

This viewgraph presentation provides information on software development tools to facilitate the use of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) codes. The specific CFD codes FDNS and CORSAIR are profiled, and uses for software development tools with these codes during pre-processing, interim-processing, and post-processing are explained.

Dorney, Suzanne Miller↗

TCV software test and validation tools and technique

The paper describes techniques for testing and validating software for the TCV (Terminal Configured Vehicle) program which is intended to solve problems associated with operating a commercial transport aircraft in the terminal area. The TCV research test bed is a Boeing 737 specially configured with digital computer systems to carry out automatic navigation, guidance, flight controls, and electronic displays research. The techniques developed for time and cost reduction include automatic documentation aids, an automatic software configuration, and an all software generation and validation system.

Straeter, T. A.↗

A modernized PDL approach for Ada software development

The desire to integrate newly available, graphically-oriented Computed Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools with existing software design approaches is changing the way Program Design Language (PDL) or Process Description Language is used for large system development. In the approach documented here, Software Engineers use graphics tools to model the problem and to describe high level software design in diagrams. An Ada-based PDL is used to document low level design. Some results are provided along with an analysis for each of three smaller General Electric (GE) Ada development projects that utilized variations on this approach. Finally some considerations are identified for larger scale implementation.

Usavage, Paul, Jr.↗

Experimental Evaluation of Verification and Validation Tools on Martian Rover Software

To achieve its science objectives in deep space exploration, NASA has a need for science platform vehicles to autonomously make control decisions in a time frame that excludes intervention from Earth-based controllers. Round-trip light-time is one significant factor motivating autonomy capability, another factor is the need to reduce ground support operations cost. An unsolved problem potentially impeding the adoption of autonomy capability is the verification and validation of such software systems, which exhibit far more behaviors (and hence distinct execution paths in the software) than is typical in current deepspace platforms. Hence the need for a study to benchmark advanced Verification and Validation (V&V) tools on representative autonomy software. The objective of the study was to access the maturity of different technologies, to provide data indicative of potential synergies between them, and to identify gaps in the technologies with respect to the challenge of autonomy V&V. The study consisted of two parts: first, a set of relatively independent case studies of different tools on the same autonomy code, second a carefully controlled experiment with human participants on a subset of these technologies. This paper describes the second part of the study. Overall, nearly four hundred hours of data on human use of three different advanced V&V tools were accumulated, with a control group that used conventional testing methods. The experiment simulated four independent V&V teams debugging three successive versions of an executive controller for a Martian Rover. Defects were carefully seeded into the three versions based on a profile of defects from CVS logs that occurred in the actual development of the executive controller. The rest of the document is structured a s follows. In section 2 and 3, we respectively describe the tools used in the study and the rover software that was analyzed. In section 4 the methodology for the experiment is described; this includes the code preparation, seeding of defects, participant training and experimental setup. Next we give a qualitative overview of how the experiment went from the point of view of each technology; model checking (section 5), static analysis (section 6), runtime analysis (section 7) and testing (section 8). The find section gives some preliminary quantitative results on how the tools compared.

Brat, Guillaume↗

Earth-Science Data Co-Locating Tool

This software is used to locate Earth-science satellite data and climate-model analysis outputs in space and time. This enables the direct comparison of any set of data with different spatial and temporal resolutions. It is written in three separate modules that are clearly separated for their functionality and interface with other modules. This enables a fast development of supporting any new data set. In this updated version of the tool, several new front ends are developed for new products. This software finds co-locatable data pairs for given sets of data products and creates new data products that share the same spatial and temporal coordinates. This facilitates the direct comparison between the two heterogeneous datasets and the comprehensive and synergistic use of the datasets.

Lee, Seungwon↗

General-Purpose Electronic System Tests Aircraft

Versatile digital equipment supports research, development, and maintenance. Extended aircraft interrogation and display system is general-purpose assembly of digital electronic equipment on ground for testing of digital electronic systems on advanced aircraft. Many advanced features, including multiple 16-bit microprocessors, pipeline data-flow architecture, advanced operating system, and resident software-development tools. Basic collection of software includes program for handling many types of data and for displays in various formats. User easily extends basic software library. Hardware and software interfaces to subsystems provided by user designed for flexibility in configuration to meet user's requirements.

Glover, Richard D.↗

Addressing software security risk mitigations in the life cycle

The NASA Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (OSMA) has funded the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) with a Center Initiative, 'Reducing Software Security Risk through an Integrated Approach' (RSSR), to address this need. The Initiative is a formal approach to addressing software security in the life cycle through the instantiation of a Software Security Assessment Instrument (SSAI) for the development and maintenance life cycles.

software tools↗

Coding Structures for Seated Row Simulation of an Active Controlled Vibration Isolation and Stabilization System for Astronaut’s Exercise Platform

Simulation for seated aerobic row exercise was a continued task to assist NASA in analyzing a one-dimensional vibration isolation and stabilization system for astronaut’s exercise platform. Feedback delay and signal noise were added to the simulation model. Simulation runs for this study were conducted in two software simulation tools, Trick and MBDyn, software simulation environments developed at the NASA Johnson Space Center. The exciter force in the simulation was calculated from motion capture of an exerciser during a seated aerobic row exercise. The simulation runs include passive control, active control using a Proportional, Integral, Derivative (PID) controller, and active control using a Piecewise Linear Integral Derivative (PWLID) controller. Output parameters include displacements of the exercise platform, the exerciser, and the counterweight; transmitted force to the wall of spacecraft; and actuator force to the platform. The simulation results showed excellent force reduction in the active controlled system compared to the passive controlled system, which resulted in less force reduction.

Simulation↗

Introducing PRIMRE’s MRE Software Knowledge Hub

This paper focuses on the role of the Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) Software Knowledge Hub on the Portal and Repository for Information on Marine Renewable Energy (PRIMRE). The MRE Software Knowledge Hub provides online services for MRE software users and developers, and seeks to develop assessments and recommendations for improving MRE software in the future. Online software discovery platforms, known as the Code Hub and the Code Catalog, are provided. The Code Hub is a collection of open-source MRE software that includes a landing page with search functionality, linked to files hosted on the MRE Code Hub GitHub organization. The Code Catalog is a searchable online platform for discovery of useful (open-source or commercial) software packages, tools, codes, and other software products. To gather information about the existing MRE software landscape, a software survey is being performed, the preliminary results of which are presented herein. Initially, the data collected in the MRE software survey will be used to populate the MRE Software knowledge hub on PRIMRE, and future work will use data from the survey to perform a gap analysis and develop a vision for future software development. Additionally, as one of PRIMRE’s roles is to support development of MRE software within project partners, a silo of knowledge relating to best practices has been gathered.

marine, energy, open source software, MHKiT, MRE C↗

Introducing PRIMRE's MRE Software Knowledge Hub (February 2021)

This paper focuses on the role of the Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) Software Knowledge Hub on the Portal and Repository for Information on Marine Renewable Energy (PRIMRE). The MRE Software Knowledge Hub provides online services for MRE software users and developers, and seeks to develop assessments and recommendations for improving MRE software in the future. Online software discovery platforms, known as the Code Hub and the Code Catalog, are provided. The Code Hub is a collection of open-source MRE software that includes a landing page with search functionality, linked to files hosted on the MRE Code Hub GitHub organization. The Code Catalog is a searchable online platform for discovery of useful (open-source or commercial) software packages, tools, codes, and other software products. To gather information about the existing MRE software landscape, a software survey is being performed, the preliminary results of which are presented herein. Initially, the data collected in the MRE software survey will be used to populate the MRE Software knowledge hub on PRIMRE, and future work will use data from the survey to perform a gap analysis and develop a vision for future software development. Additionally, as one of PRIMRE's roles is to support development of MRE software within project partners, a silo of knowledge relating to best practices has been gathered. An early draft of new guidance developed from this knowledge is presented.

gap analysis↗

Some Interactive Aspects of a Software Design Schema Acquisition Tool

This paper describes a design schema acquisition tool which forms an important component of a hybrid software design system for reuse. The hybrid system incorporates both schema-based approaches in supporting software design reuse activities and is realized by extensions to the IDeA system. The paper also examines some of the interactive aspects that the tool requires with the domain analyst to accomplish its acquisition task.

Lee, Hing-Yan↗

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