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NASA NTRS1994

Methodologies and systems for heterogeneous concurrent computing

Heterogeneous concurrent computing is gaining increasing acceptance as an alternative or complementary paradigm to multiprocessor-based parallel processing as well as to conventional supercomputing. While algorithmic and programming aspects of heterogeneous concurrent computing are similar to their parallel processing counterparts, system issues, partitioning and scheduling, and performance aspects are significantly different. In this paper, we discuss critical design and implementation issues in heterogeneous concurrent computing, and describe techniques for enhancing its effectiveness. In particular, we highlight the system level infrastructures that are required, aspects of parallel algorithm development that most affect performance, system capabilities and limitations, and tools and methodologies for effective computing in heterogeneous networked environments. We also present recent developments and experiences in the context of the PVM system and comment on ongoing and future work.

Sunderam, V. S.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Multidisciplinary Concurrent Design Optimization via the Internet

A methodology is presented which uses commercial design and analysis software and the Internet to perform concurrent multidisciplinary optimization. The methodology provides a means to develop multidisciplinary designs without requiring that all software be accessible from the same local network. The procedures are amenable to design and development teams whose members, expertise and respective software are not geographically located together. This methodology facilitates multidisciplinary teams working concurrently on a design problem of common interest. Partition of design software to different machines allows each constituent software to be used on the machine that provides the most economy and efficiency. The methodology is demonstrated on the concurrent design of a spacecraft structure and attitude control system. Results are compared to those derived from performing the design with an autonomous FORTRAN program.

Woodard, Stanley E.↗

NASA NTRS1990

A Concurrent Distributed System for Aircraft Tactical Decision Generation

A research program investigating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to aid in the development of a Tactical Decision Generator (TDG) for Within Visual Range (WVR) air combat engagements is discussed. The application of AI programming and problem solving methods in the development and implementation of a concurrent version of the Computerized Logic For Air-to-Air Warfare Simulations (CLAWS) program, a second generation TDG, is presented. Concurrent computing environments and programming approaches are discussed and the design and performance of a prototype concurrent TDG system are presented.

McManus, John W.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Symbolic Analysis of Concurrent Programs with Polymorphism

The current trend of multi-core and multi-processor computing is causing a paradigm shift from inherently sequential to highly concurrent and parallel applications. Certain thread interleavings, data input values, or combinations of both often cause errors in the system. Systematic verification techniques such as explicit state model checking and symbolic execution are extensively used to detect errors in such systems [7, 9]. Explicit state model checking enumerates possible thread schedules and input data values of a program in order to check for errors [3, 9]. To partially mitigate the state space explosion from data input values, symbolic execution techniques substitute data input values with symbolic values [5, 7, 6]. Explicit state model checking and symbolic execution techniques used in conjunction with exhaustive search techniques such as depth-first search are unable to detect errors in medium to large-sized concurrent programs because the number of behaviors caused by data and thread non-determinism is extremely large. We present an overview of abstraction-guided symbolic execution for concurrent programs that detects errors manifested by a combination of thread schedules and data values [8]. The technique generates a set of key program locations relevant in testing the reachability of the target locations. The symbolic execution is then guided along these locations in an attempt to generate a feasible execution path to the error state. This allows the execution to focus in parts of the behavior space more likely to contain an error.

Rungta, Neha Shyam↗

NASA NTRS2021

What Makes Hybrid Concurrent Engineering Teams Work and Not Work: A Theoretical Analysis

Aerospace concurrent engineering teams (CETs) have been around since 1995 and have evolved into various shapes and forms. Historically, CETs have been designed to function with all team members physically collocated. In order to continue operating during the coronavirus pandemic, these teams have had to become fully distributed in 2020. Previously, distributed CETs were predicted to be considerably less efficient than traditional CETs. However, at JPL studies are being successfully run at peak rate in a distributed mode. As nominal working conditions resume after the pandemic, a major question is whether these teams must go back to being fully collocated or if they can become successful hybrid teams, with half or more of the engineers working remotely. In order to address this question, it is important to understand the key characteristics that make a CET more likely to be successful in a remote mode. This paper revisits a framework for characterizing concurrent engineering teams, providing a means to describe and compare the behavior of concurrent engineering teams in various settings [1], and uses the framework to make recommendations for future hybrid teams.

Chattopadhyay, Debarati↗

NASA NTRS2005

Probabilistic Risk Assessment for Concurrent, Conceptual Design of Space Missions

NASA is expanding its capability to perform PRA. This capability gives insight into the links of a suggested design and drives the refinement of the design by identifying optimal areas for investments. Clearly, it is more viable and less expensive to refine a design at the time that it is being conceived. Hence the utility of conducting PRA at the conceptual design phase. Concurrent engineering teams greatly reduce the design time and costs. However, there is currently no standardized means for building probabilistic risk models to assess risks associated with a design produced by such teams. The capability to produce a consistent and valid risk metric associated with such designs would greatly enhance the value of such design teams. This paper explains the experimental results obtained to date from building probabilistic risk models for sample studies conducted at the concurrent engineering design team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (TeamX).

conceptual designs↗

NASA NTRS2005

An Integrated Approach to Risk Assessment for Concurrent Design

This paper describes an approach to risk assessment and analysis suited to the early phase, concurrent design of a space mission. The approach integrates an agile, multi-user risk collection tool, a more in-depth risk analysis tool, and repositories of risk information. A JPL developed tool, named RAP, is used for collecting expert opinions about risk from designers involved in the concurrent design of a space mission. Another in-house developed risk assessment tool, named DDP, is used for the analysis.

defect detection and prevention (DDP)↗

NASA NTRS2015

Concurrent Flame Growth, Spread and Extinction over Composite Fabric Samples in Low Speed Purely Forced Flow in Microgravity

As a part of the NASA BASS and BASS-II experimental projects aboard the International Space Station, flame growth, spread and extinction over a composite cotton-fiberglass fabric blend (referred to as the SIBAL fabric) were studied in low-speed concurrent forced flows. The tests were conducted in a small flow duct within the Microgravity Science Glovebox. The fuel samples measured 1.2 and 2.2 cm wide and 10 cm long. Ambient oxygen was varied from 21% down to 16% and flow speed from 40 cm/s down to 1 cm/s. A small flame resulted at low flow, enabling us to observe the entire history of flame development including ignition, flame growth, steady spread (in some cases) and decay at the end of the sample. In addition, by decreasing flow velocity during some of the tests, low-speed flame quenching extinction limits were found as a function of oxygen percentage. The quenching speeds were found to be between 1 and 5 cm/s with higher speed in lower oxygen atmosphere. The shape of the quenching boundary supports the prediction by earlier theoretical models. These long duration microgravity experiments provide a rare opportunity for solid fuel combustion since microgravity time in ground-based facilities is generally not sufficient. This is the first time that a low-speed quenching boundary in concurrent spread is determined in a clean and unambiguous manner.

concurrent↗

NASA NTRS2015

Model-Based Systems Engineering in Concurrent Engineering Centers

Concurrent Engineering Centers (CECs) are specialized facilities with a goal of generating and maturing engineering designs by enabling rapid design iterations. This is accomplished by co-locating a team of experts (either physically or virtually) in a room with a focused design goal and a limited timeline of a week or less. The systems engineer uses a model of the system to capture the relevant interfaces and manage the overall architecture. A single model that integrates other design information and modeling allows the entire team to visualize the concurrent activity and identify conflicts more efficiently, potentially resulting in a systems model that will continue to be used throughout the project lifecycle. Performing systems engineering using such a system model is the definition of model-based systems engineering (MBSE); therefore, CECs evolving their approach to incorporate advances in MBSE are more successful in reducing time and cost needed to meet study goals. This paper surveys space mission CECs that are in the middle of this evolution, and the authors share their experiences in order to promote discussion within the community.

systems engineering↗

NASA NTRS2015

Model-Based Systems Engineering in Concurrent Engineering Centers

Concurrent Engineering Centers (CECs) are specialized facilities with a goal of generating and maturing engineering designs by enabling rapid design iterations. This is accomplished by co-locating a team of experts (either physically or virtually) in a room with a narrow design goal and a limited timeline of a week or less. The systems engineer uses a model of the system to capture the relevant interfaces and manage the overall architecture. A single model that integrates other design information and modeling allows the entire team to visualize the concurrent activity and identify conflicts more efficiently, potentially resulting in a systems model that will continue to be used throughout the project lifecycle. Performing systems engineering using such a system model is the definition of model-based systems engineering (MBSE); therefore, CECs evolving their approach to incorporate advances in MBSE are more successful in reducing time and cost needed to meet study goals. This paper surveys space mission CECs that are in the middle of this evolution, and the authors share their experiences in order to promote discussion within the community.

MODEL↗

NASA NTRS2020

Integrated Concurrent Engineering Teams for Increased Efficiency in Flight Projects

A highly integrated Concurrent Engineering Team (CET) within a flight project evolves in its function and has the potential to provide many benefits through the project lifecycle. The benefits include superior systems-oriented design products, as well as overall improved project efficiency and higher-performing interpersonal relationships within the project. If physically integrated, this can manifest as a Concurrent Engineering Center (CEC) centrally located within a project’s physical office space. Here we discuss the process to establish and maintain a tightly integrated engineering and design team for providing highly streamlined service to the project, including a cost/benefits analysis discussion.

Flight Project↗

NASA NTRS2020

Integrated Concurrent Engineering Teams for Increased Efficiency in Flight Projects

Flight Project↗

NASA NTRS1984

Specifying the behavior of concurrent systems

A framework for rigorously specifying the behavior of concurrent systems is proposed. It is based on the view of a concurrent system as a collection of interacting processes but no assumptions are made about the mechanisms for process synchronization and communication. A formal language is described that permits the expression of a broad range of logical and timing dependencies.

Furtek, F. C.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Concurrent implementation of the Crank-Nicolson method for heat transfer analysis

To exploit the significant gains in computing speed provided by Multiple Instruction Multiple Data (MIMD) computers, concurrent methods for practical problems need to be investigated and test problems implemented on actual hardware. One such problem class is heat transfer analysis which is important in many aerospace applications. This paper compares the efficiency of two alternate implementations of heat transfer analysis on an experimental MIMD computer called the Finite Element Machine (FEM). The implicit Crank-Nicolson method is used to solve concurrently the heat transfer equations by both iterative and direct methods. Comparison of actual timing results achieved for the two methods and their significance relative to more complex problems are discussed.

Ransom, J. B.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Concurrent processing for nonlinear analysis of hollow rectangular structural sections

A concurrent processing algorithm is developed for a materially nonlinear analysis of hollow square and rectangular structural sections and implemented on a special purpose multiprocessor computer at NASA Langley Research Center referred to as the 'Finite Element Machine'. The cross sectional thrust-moment-curvature relations are generated concurrently using a tangent stiffness approach and yield surfaces are obtained which represent the interaction between axial load and biaxial moments. For the study, a maximum speed-up factor of 7.69 is achieved on eight processors.

Darbhamulla, S. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A concurrent processing implementation for structural vibration analysis

A concurrent processing algorithm for analysis of large aerospace structures is presented. A general description of the implementation criteria for the algorithm is given, and the results from applications to two vibration test problems are discussed. The test problems included a flexural vibration analysis of a long beam with 16 uniformly spaced supports, and a torsional vibration analysis. The computer system used to implement the algorithm was an experimental MIND system. The concurrent processing speedups for the test problems are given in a table.

Bostic, S. W.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Concurrent processing in nonlinear structural stability

A concurrent processing algorithm is developed for materially nonlinear stability analysis of imperfect columns with biaxial partial rotational end restraints. The algorithm for solving the governing nonlinear ordinary differential equations is implemented on a multiprocessor computer called the 'Finite Element Machine', developed at the NASA Langley Research Center. Numerical results are obtained on up to nine concurrent processors. A substantial computational gain is achieved in using the parallel processing approach.

Darbhamulla, S. P.↗

NASA NTRS1986

A specification-based approach to concurrent structure verification in multiprocessor systems

A recently initiated research project concerned with the concurrent detection of software errors and errors due to physical failures in the hardware of multiprocessor systems is described in this paper. An approach to error detection is described, which is specification based and relies on the structural verification of program control flow and data structure integrity. The techniques discussed utilize the hardware redundancy inherent in parallel processing systems to provide verification of both program structure and data concurrently with program execution.

Fuchs, W. Kent↗