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At least 37 records · Page 2

A Lanczos eigenvalue method on a parallel computer

Eigenvalue analyses of complex structures is a computationally intensive task which can benefit significantly from new and impending parallel computers. This study reports on a parallel computer implementation of the Lanczos method for free vibration analysis. The approach used here subdivides the major Lanczos calculation tasks into subtasks and introduces parallelism down to the subtask levels such as matrix decomposition and forward/backward substitution. The method was implemented on a commercial parallel computer and results were obtained for a long flexible space structure. While parallel computing efficiency for the Lanczos method was good for a moderate number of processors for the test problem, the greatest reduction in time was realized for the decomposition of the stiffness matrix, a calculation which took 70 percent of the time in the sequential program and which took 25 percent of the time on eight processors. For a sample calculation of the twenty lowest frequencies of a 486 degree of freedom problem, the total sequential computing time was reduced by almost a factor of ten using 16 processors.

Bostic, Susan W.↗

Establishing Consensus Turbulence Statistics for Hot Subsonic Jets

Many tasks in fluids engineering require knowledge of the turbulence in jets. There is a strong, although fragmented, literature base for low order statistics, such as jet spread and other meanvelocity field characteristics. Some sources, particularly for low speed cold jets, also provide turbulence intensities that are required for validating Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes. There are far fewer sources for jet spectra and for space-time correlations of turbulent velocity required for aeroacoustics applications, although there have been many singular publications with various unique statistics, such as Proper Orthogonal Decomposition, designed to uncover an underlying low-order dynamical description of turbulent jet flow. As the complexity of the statistic increases, the number of flows for which the data has been categorized and assembled decreases, making it difficult to systematically validate prediction codes that require high-level statistics over a broad range of jet flow conditions. For several years, researchers at NASA have worked on developing and validating jet noise prediction codes. One such class of codes, loosely called CFD-based or statistical methods, uses RANS CFD to predict jet mean and turbulent intensities in velocity and temperature. These flow quantities serve as the input to the acoustic source models and flow-sound interaction calculations that yield predictions of far-field jet noise. To develop this capability, a catalog of turbulent jet flows has been created with statistics ranging from mean velocity to space-time correlations of Reynolds stresses. The present document aims to document this catalog and to assess the accuracies of the data, e.g. establish uncertainties for the data. This paper covers the following five tasks: Document acquisition and processing procedures used to create the particle image velocimetry (PIV) datasets. Compare PIV data with hotwire and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) data published in the open literature. Compare different datasets acquired at roughly the same flow conditions to establish uncertainties. Create a consensus dataset for a range of hot jet flows, including uncertainty bands. Analyze this consensus dataset for self-consistency and compare jet characteristics to those of the open literature. One final objective fulfilled by this work was the demonstration of a universal scaling for the jet flow fields, at least within the region of interest to aeroacoustics. The potential core length and the spread rate of the half-velocity radius were used to collapse of the mean and turbulent velocity fields over the first 20 jet diameters in a highly satisfying manner.

Bridges, James↗

Global Analysis of Nonlinear Second-Mode Development in a Mach-6 Boundary Layer From High-Speed Schlieren Data

The second-mode instability on a 7◦ half-angle sharp cone at Mach 6 is analyzed using high-speed calibrated schlieren imagery at a frame rate near the expected fundamental frequency. Experiments were conducted in the NASA Langley 20-Inch Mach 6 facility at unit Reynolds number between 6.56×106 and 9.71×106 m−1. Time-resolved pixel intensity signals throughout the boundary layer are reconstructed using spatially available data in the schlieren images to recover an effective sampling rate of over 10 MHz; these are then converted to quantitative density gradients using a thin-lens-based calibration technique. A global analysis is performed on the schlieren data to investigate the nonlinear growth of the second-mode fundamental and harmonic content. Point-wise measures of the auto-bicoherence are used to identify specific triadic interactions and the locations of their highest levels of quadratic phase coupling. Significant resonance interactions between the second-mode fundamental and harmonic instabilities were found along with interactions between these and the mean flow. Bispectral mode decomposition is employed to educe the flow structures associated with these interactions. A similar analysis is performed for the power spectrum, with power spectral densities computed for each pixel’s time-series and spectral proper orthogonal decomposition employed to derive the modal structure and energy of the flow at specific frequencies. Comparisons between the bispectral quantities and second-mode power show that nonlinear interactions, particularly resonance interactions, are closely correlated with space-time modulation of disturbances during the nonlinear stage of transition.

boundary layer transition↗

Phyllosilicate Decomposition on Bennu Due to Prolonged Surface Exposure

The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security–Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission to carbonaceous asteroid (101955) Bennu performed detailed mapping with a suite of instruments to characterize the composition and geology of its surface. Here we use data from the OSIRIS-REx Thermal Emission Spectrometer (OTES) instrument to investigate the relationship of OTES-derived spectral indices to other derived data products from OTES, the OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite (OCAMS), and the OSIRIS-REx Visible and InfraRed Spectrometer (OVIRS) at global and local scales. We quantitatively confirm that high values of the OTES silicate stretching slope (from ∼10 to ∼12 μm) in midday spectra that are indicative of thin and/or patchy dust cover are strongly associated with low thermal inertia (high porosity), low albedo boulders on Bennu. These high porosity boulders have brecciated textures with embedded clasts that likely originated on Bennu's parent body or during its disruption. The high porosity of these boulders is a key factor in the local production of the dust or its entrapment, as some large, brecciated boulders with a lower porosity have little evidence of dust. A second OTES spectral parameter, the silicate bending band depth near 22.7 μm applied to early evening spectra, is not correlated to thermal inertia, but is weakly to strongly correlated to albedo, OVIRS-derived 1.05 μm and 2.74 μm band depths, OVIRS-derived hydrogen abundance, and modeled nanophase troilite abundance. In several regions on Bennu there is a strong spatial relationship between these parameters, whereby areas with shallower silicate bending bands also have shallower 1.05 μm and 2.74 μm bands and lower albedo with higher nanophase troilite abundances. These correlations, combined with analysis of the silicate bending band in laboratory experiments of space weathered and mildly heated carbonaceous chondrites, suggests that decreased silicate bending band depths signify decomposition of phyllosilicates, likely Fe-bearing, due to space weathering or mild heating (<600 °C) via solar radiation during Bennu's time in near-Earth space. There is a strong association of larger silicate bending band depths in areas dominated by small rocks and unresolved material and in areas with small (≤ 25 m) craters identified as the spectrally reddest on Bennu, suggesting that this material has been more recently exposed due to impact and/or mass wasting processes. The shallowest silicate bending depths are associated with larger rocks and boulders that appear to have the longest surface exposure history, although there is band depth variation among them suggesting either initial composition variation that resulted in different responses to space weathering or heating, or varied exposure history of individual boulders themselves. We predict that any grains returned from Bennu with a significant surface exposure history will be characterized by shallower 22.7 μm, 1.05 μm and 2.7 μm band depths and increased sulfide (troilite) abundance, as well as textural and chemical evidence for phyllosilicate dehydration.

Asteroids, surfaces↗

A Lanczos eigenvalue method on a parallel computer

Eigenvalue analyses of complex structures is a computationally intensive task which can benefit significantly from new and impending parallel computers. This study reports on a parallel computer implementation of the Lanczos method for free vibration analysis. The approach used here subdivides the major Lanczos calculation tasks into subtasks and introduces parallelism down to the subtask levels such as matrix decomposition and forward/backward substitution. The method was implemented on a commercial parallel computer and results were obtained for a long flexible space structure. While parallel computing efficiency is problem and computer dependent, the efficiency for the Lanczos method was good for a moderate number of processors for the test problem. The greatest reduction in time was realized for the decomposition of the stiffness matrix, a calculation which took 70 percent of the time in the sequential program and which took 25 percent of the time on eight processors. For a sample calculation of the twenty lowest frequencies of a 486 degree of freedom problem, the total sequential computing time was reduced by almost a factor of ten using 16 processors.

Bostic, Susan W.↗

Outline for a theory of intelligence

Intelligence is defined as that which produces successful behavior. Intelligence is assumed to result from natural selection. A model is proposed that integrates knowledge from research in both natural and artificial systems. The model consists of a hierarchical system architecture wherein: (1) control bandwidth decreases about an order of magnitude at each higher level, (2) perceptual resolution of spatial and temporal patterns contracts about an order-of-magnitude at each higher level, (3) goals expand in scope and planning horizons expand in space and time about an order-of-magnitude at each higher level, and (4) models of the world and memories of events expand their range in space and time by about an order-of-magnitude at each higher level. At each level, functional modules perform behavior generation (task decomposition planning and execution), world modeling, sensory processing, and value judgment. Sensory feedback control loops are closed at every level.

Albus, James S.↗

Domain decomposition methods for systems of conservation laws: Spectral collocation approximations

Hyperbolic systems of conversation laws are considered which are discretized in space by spectral collocation methods and advanced in time by finite difference schemes. At any time-level a domain deposition method based on an iteration by subdomain procedure was introduced yielding at each step a sequence of independent subproblems (one for each subdomain) that can be solved simultaneously. The method is set for a general nonlinear problem in several space variables. The convergence analysis, however, is carried out only for a linear one-dimensional system with continuous solutions. A precise form of the error reduction factor at each iteration is derived. Although the method is applied here to the case of spectral collocation approximation only, the idea is fairly general and can be used in a different context as well. For instance, its application to space discretization by finite differences is straight forward.

Quarteroni, Alfio↗

Computation of an Underexpanded 3-D Rectangular Jet by the CE/SE Method

Recently, an unstructured three-dimensional space-time conservation element and solution element (CE/SE) Euler solver was developed. Now it is also developed for parallel computation using METIS for domain decomposition and MPI (message passing interface). The method is employed here to numerically study the near-field of a typical 3-D rectangular under-expanded jet. For the computed case-a jet with Mach number Mj = 1.6. with a very modest grid of 1.7 million tetrahedrons, the flow features such as the shock-cell structures and the axis switching, are in good qualitative agreement with experimental results.

Loh, Ching Y.↗

Polynomial optimization techniques for activity scheduling. Optimization based prototype scheduler

Polynomial optimization techniques for activity scheduling (optimization based prototype scheduler) are presented in the form of the viewgraphs. The following subject areas are covered: agenda; need and viability of polynomial time techniques for SNC (Space Network Control); an intrinsic characteristic of SN scheduling problem; expected characteristics of the schedule; optimization based scheduling approach; single resource algorithms; decomposition of multiple resource problems; prototype capabilities, characteristics, and test results; computational characteristics; some features of prototyped algorithms; and some related GSFC references.

Reddy, Surender↗

Efficient eigenvalue assignment for large space structures

A novel and efficient approach for the eigenvalue assignment of large first-order time-invariant systems is developed using full-state feedback and output feedback. First, a Schur decomposition is applied to triangularize the state matrix. Second, a series of coordinate rotations (Givens rotations) are used to move the eigenvalue to be reassigned to the end of the diagonal of its Schur form. Third, the eigenvalue is moved to the desired location by a full-state feedback, without affecting the remaining eigenvalues. The second and third step can be repeated until all the assignable eigenvalues are moved to the desired locations. Given the freedom of multiple inputs, the feedback gain matrix is calculated to minimize an objective function composed of a gain matrix norm and/or a robustness index of the closed-loop system. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach.

Maghami, Peiman G.↗

A real-time robot arm collision avoidance system

A data structure and update algorithm are presented for a prototype real-time collision avoidance safety system simulating a multirobot workspace. The data structure is a variant of the octree, which serves as a spatial index. An octree recursively decomposes 3D space into eight equal cubic octants until each octant meets some decomposition criteria. The N-objects octree, which indexes a collection of 3D primitive solids is used. These primitives make up the two (seven-degrees-of-freedom) robot arms and workspace modeled by the system. As robot arms move, the octree is updated to reflect their changed positions. During most update cycles, any given primitive does not change which octree nodes it is in. Thus, modification to the octree is rarely required. Cycle time for interpreting current arm joint angles, updating the octree to reflect new positions, and detecting/reporting imminent collisions averages 30 ms on an Intel 80386 processor running at 20 MHz.

Shaffer, Clifford A.↗

On the transition towards slow manifold in shallow-water and 3D Euler equations in a rotating frame

The long-time, asymptotic state of rotating homogeneous shallow-water equations is investigated. Our analysis is based on long-time averaged rotating shallow-water equations describing interactions of large-scale, horizontal, two-dimensional motions with surface inertial-gravity waves field for a shallow, uniformly rotating fluid layer. These equations are obtained in two steps: first by introducing a Poincare/Kelvin linear propagator directly into classical shallow-water equations, then by averaging. The averaged equations describe interaction of wave fields with large-scale motions on time scales long compared to the time scale 1/f(sub o) introduced by rotation (f(sub o)/2-angular velocity of background rotation). The present analysis is similar to the one presented by Waleffe (1991) for 3D Euler equations in a rotating frame. However, since three-wave interactions in rotating shallow-water equations are forbidden, the final equations describing the asymptotic state are simplified considerably. Special emphasis is given to a new conservation law found in the asymptotic state and decoupling of the dynamics of the divergence free part of the velocity field. The possible rising of a decoupled dynamics in the asymptotic state is also investigated for homogeneous turbulence subjected to a background rotation. In our analysis we use long-time expansion, where the velocity field is decomposed into the 'slow manifold' part (the manifold which is unaffected by the linear 'rapid' effects of rotation or the inertial waves) and a formal 3D disturbance. We derive the physical space version of the long-time averaged equations and consider an invariant, basis-free derivation. This formulation can be used to generalize Waleffe's (1991) helical decomposition to viscous inhomogeneous flows (e.g. problems in cylindrical geometry with no-slip boundary conditions on the cylinder surface and homogeneous in the vertical direction).

Mahalov, A.↗

Next Steps: Laying the Groundwork for Bundle Protocol v7

Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) is a networking model and protocol suite that extends the terrestrial internet to the challenging communication environments of space. These environments are typically subject to frequent disruptions, which can cause delays or errors. DTN protects data transmission by wrapping data into bundles (similar to Internet Protocol packets), storing them until a connection can be established between two nodes (similar to terrestrial routers or computers), and forwarding them to their destinations. Bundle Protocol (BP) is responsible for generating those bundles and creates the transport layer of DTN, much like how Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) create the transport layer of the Internet Protocol. BPv6 is the current, accepted version of the Bundle Protocol standard. However, recent missions and test implementations have revealed missing components and areas for improvement in the standard. Using lessons learned from NASA missions and gathering inspiration from the Internet Protocol, BPv7 is intended to be a more robust Bundle Protocol that improves upon its predecessor and increases the technology readiness level of the DTN architecture. The DTN Standard Interface Design team, a sub-team of the DTN Infusion Project at the Goddard Space Flight Center, worked to create a dictionary of terms for bundle components and functional decomposition of the protocol. These efforts aided in the standardization of BP interfaces, something missing from BPv6, and supported parallel network management and configuration work. This standardization will ultimately contribute to LunaNet (a lunar communications and navigation architecture that will bring networking, positioning, navigation, timing and science services to the Moon), the Solar System Internet (SSI), and expand crewed and uncrewed space exploration opportunities.

DTN↗

Next Steps: Laying the Groundwork for Bundle Protocol v7

Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) is a networking model and protocol suite that extends the terrestrial internet to the challenging communication environments of space. These environments are typically subject to frequent disruptions, which can cause delays or errors. DTN protects data transmission by wrapping data into bundles (similar to Internet Protocol packets), storing them until a connection can be established between two nodes (similar to terrestrial routers or computers), and forwarding them to their destinations. Bundle Protocol (BP) is responsible for generating those bundles and creates the transport layer of DTN, much like how Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) create the transport layer of the Internet Protocol. BPv6 is the current, accepted version of the Bundle Protocol standard. However, recent missions and test implementations have revealed missing components and areas for improvement in the standard. Using lessons learned from NASA missions and gathering inspiration from the Internet Protocol, BPv7 is intended to be a more robust Bundle Protocol that improves upon its predecessor and increases the technology readiness level of the DTN architecture. The DTN Standard Interface Design team, a sub-team of the DTN Infusion Project at the Goddard Space Flight Center, worked to create a dictionary of terms for bundle components and functional decomposition of the protocol. These efforts aided in the standardization of BP interfaces, something missing from BPv6, and supported parallel network management and configuration work. This standardization will ultimately contribute to LunaNet (a lunar communications and navigation architecture that will bring networking, positioning, navigation, timing and science services to the Moon), the Solar System Internet (SSI), and expand crewed and uncrewed space exploration opportunities.

dtn↗

High-temperature catalyst for catalytic combustion and decomposition

A robust, high temperature mixed metal oxide catalyst for propellant composition, including high concentration hydrogen peroxide, and catalytic combustion, including methane air mixtures. The uses include target, space, and on-orbit propulsion systems and low-emission terrestrial power and gas generation. The catalyst system requires no special preheat apparatus or special sequencing to meet start-up requirements, enabling a fast overall response time. Start-up transients of less than 1 second have been demonstrated with catalyst bed and propellant temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The catalyst system has consistently demonstrated high decomposition effeciency, extremely low decomposition roughness, and long operating life on multiple test particles.

Mays, Jeffrey A.↗

Optimization of Time-Dependent Particle Tracing Using Tetrahedral Decomposition

An efficient algorithm is presented for computing particle paths, streak lines and time lines in time-dependent flows with moving curvilinear grids. The integration, velocity interpolation and step-size control are all performed in physical space which avoids the need to transform the velocity field into computational space. This leads to higher accuracy because there are no Jacobian matrix approximations or expensive matrix inversions. Integration accuracy is maintained using an adaptive step-size control scheme which is regulated by the path line curvature. The problem of cell-searching, point location and interpolation in physical space is simplified by decomposing hexahedral cells into tetrahedral cells. This enables the point location to be done analytically and substantially faster than with a Newton-Raphson iterative method. Results presented show this algorithm is up to six times faster than particle tracers which operate on hexahedral cells yet produces almost identical particle trajectories.

Kenwright, David↗

Modeling hydrogen-cyanide absorption in fires

A mathematical model is developed for predicting blood concentrations of cyanide as functions of exposure time to constant levels of cyanide in the atmosphere. A toxic gas (which may form as a result of decomposition of combustion materials used in transportation vehicles) is breathed into the alveolar space and transferred from the alveolar space to the blood by a first-order process, dependent on the concentration of the toxicant in the alveolar space. The model predicts that blood cyanide levels are more sensitive to the breathing cycle than to blood circulation. A model estimate of the relative effects of CO and HCN atmospheres, generated in an experimental chamber with an epoxy polymer, shows that toxic effects of cyanide occur long before those of carbon monoxide.

Cagliostro, D. E.↗

Performance of the Wavelet Decomposition on Massively Parallel Architectures

Traditionally, Fourier Transforms have been utilized for performing signal analysis and representation. But although it is straightforward to reconstruct a signal from its Fourier transform, no local description of the signal is included in its Fourier representation. To alleviate this problem, Windowed Fourier transforms and then wavelet transforms have been introduced, and it has been proven that wavelets give a better localization than traditional Fourier transforms, as well as a better division of the time- or space-frequency plane than Windowed Fourier transforms. Because of these properties and after the development of several fast algorithms for computing the wavelet representation of any signal, in particular the Multi-Resolution Analysis (MRA) developed by Mallat, wavelet transforms have increasingly been applied to signal analysis problems, especially real-life problems, in which speed is critical. In this paper we present and compare efficient wavelet decomposition algorithms on different parallel architectures. We report and analyze experimental measurements, using NASA remotely sensed images. Results show that our algorithms achieve significant performance gains on current high performance parallel systems, and meet scientific applications and multimedia requirements. The extensive performance measurements collected over a number of high-performance computer systems have revealed important architectural characteristics of these systems, in relation to the processing demands of the wavelet decomposition of digital images.

El-Ghazawi, Tarek A.↗