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NASA NTRS1993

Layout optimization with algebraic multigrid methods

Finding the optimal position for the individual cells (also called functional modules) on the chip surface is an important and difficult step in the design of integrated circuits. This paper deals with the problem of relative placement, that is the minimization of a quadratic functional with a large, sparse, positive definite system matrix. The basic optimization problem must be augmented by constraints to inhibit solutions where cells overlap. Besides classical iterative methods, based on conjugate gradients (CG), we show that algebraic multigrid methods (AMG) provide an interesting alternative. For moderately sized examples with about 10000 cells, AMG is already competitive with CG and is expected to be superior for larger problems. Besides the classical 'multiplicative' AMG algorithm where the levels are visited sequentially, we propose an 'additive' variant of AMG where levels may be treated in parallel and that is suitable as a preconditioner in the CG algorithm.

Regler, Hans↗

NASA NTRS1993

Mars: Noachian hydrology by its statistics and topology

Discrimination between fluvial features generated by surface drainage and subsurface aquifer discharges will provide clues to the understanding of early Mars' climatic history. Our approach is to define the process of formation of the oldest fluvial valleys by statistical and topological analyses. Formation of fluvial valley systems reached its highest statistical concentration during the Noachian Period. Nevertheless, they are a scarce phenomenom in Martian history, localized on the craterized upland, and subject to latitudinal distribution. They occur sparsely on Noachian geological units with a weak distribution density, and appear in reduced isolated surface (around 5 x 10(exp 3)(sq km)), filled by short streams (100-300 km length). Topological analysis of the internal organization of 71 surveyed Noachian fluvial valley networks also provides information on the mechanisms of formation.

Cabrol, N. A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Odyssey personal communications satellite system

The spectacular growth of cellular telephone networks has proved the demand for personal communications. Large regions of the world are too sparsely populated to be economically served by terrestrial cellular communications. Since satellites are well suited to this application, TRW filed with the FCC on May 31, 1993 for the Odyssey construction permit. Odyssey will provide high quality wireless communication services worldwide from satellites. These services will include: voice, data, paging, and messaging. Odyssey will be an economical approach to providing communications. A constellation of 12 satellites will be orbited in three, 55 deg. inclined planes at an altitude of 10,354 km to provide continuous coverage of designated regions. Two satellites will be visible anywhere in the world at all times. This dual visibility leads to high line-of-sight elevation angles, minimizing obstructions by terrain, trees and buildings. Each satellite generates a multibeam antenna pattern that divides its coverage area into a set of contiguous cells. The communications system employs spread spectrum CDMA on both the uplinks and downlinks. This signaling method permits band sharing with other systems and applications. Signal processing is accomplished on the ground at the satellite's 'Gateway' stations. The 'bent pipe' transponders accommodates different regional standards, as well as signaling changes over time. The low power Odyssey handset will be cellular compatible. Multipath fade protection is provided in the handset.

Spitzer, Christopher J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Modelling TOVS radiances of synoptic systems

Two operational analysis models, produced by ECMWF and NMC, are compared against observed satellite radiances by converting the analyzed variables into synthetic radiances using a radiative transfer model (RTM). Observed TOVS satellite radiances are used as a ground truth, since they are the only source of continuous, synoptic-scale resolution observations available over the data-sparse tropical Pacific Ocean. It is assumed that if the analysis models correctly simulate atmospheric conditions, the observed and modelled radiance fields will have similar patterns and magnitudes. In each of seven TOVS channels examined, the mean temperature difference between the models was small, but the differences between the models and the observations were large. The mean temperature difference within each channel was larger than the standard deviation in most cases. The moisture channels of the RTM were sensitive to changes in moisture content, but none of the channels were significantly affected by changes in temperature. Single-day modelled radiance analyses contain synoptic information similar to the satellite observations. ECMWF is often too noisy, producing features not verified by the satellite; NMC is often too smooth. NMC more closely resembles the TOVS contours. Modelled water vapor channel analyses resemble observed monthly and composited observations well, but do not accurately reproduce the highly-variable single-day fields. ECMWF generally has more accurate gradients. Neither model simulates the tropics well. The water vapor channels, especially channel eleven (weighted at 700 mb), most closely resembled the tropical plume composite described by McGuirk and Ulsh. The only plume evidence found in the thermal or microwave channels, in either the observations or the models, was a composite trough situated in the correct location, extending from the mid-latitudes into the subtropics. This feature was not readily discernable until the definition and mature stages. Additional information besides the modelled temperatures would be required to produce an accurate forecast for the tropics. Model patterns more closely resembled the observations in the quiescent atmosphere, though the magnitudes were not any closer. ECMWF simulates the TOVS quiescent state better than NMC. The moisture channels continue to present the most realistic patterns. The models contained more detail in the tropics than was verified by the satellite observations, apparently trying to force an active ITCZ. Lag correlations showed TOVS to be more persistent than the models. TOVS also showed a smoother lag trend, but all products appeared to have adequate ability to react to changes in the atmosphere over time.

Coe, Thomas Eddy↗

NASA NTRS1993

Implementing abstract multigrid or multilevel methods

Multigrid methods can be formulated as an algorithm for an abstract problem that is independent of the partial differential equation, domain, and discretization method. In such an abstract setting, problems not arising from partial differential equations can be treated. A general theory exists for linear problems. The general theory was motivated by a series of abstract solvers (Madpack). The latest version was motivated by the theory. Madpack now allows for a wide variety of iterative and direct solvers, preconditioners, and interpolation and projection schemes, including user callback ones. It allows for sparse, dense, and stencil matrices. Mildly nonlinear problems can be handled. Also, there is a fast, multigrid Poisson solver (two and three dimensions). The type of solvers and design decisions (including language, data structures, external library support, and callbacks) are discussed. Based on the author's experiences with two versions of Madpack, a better approach is proposed. This is based on a mixed language formulation (C and FORTRAN + preprocessor). Reasons for not using FORTRAN, C, or C++ (individually) are given. Implementing the proposed strategy is not difficult.

Douglas, Craig C.↗

NASA NTRS1994

The three-dimensional structure of the infrared cirrus

This project was carried out over a period of four years, beginning 6/15/89 and continuing through 9/15/93. Intermediate results have been reported as poster papers at several meetings of the American Astronomical Society. A brief summary was presented in April 1993 at a symposium on the infrared cirrus. The final results were published in late 1993. The measurements have been deposited in NASA's Astronomical Data Center. Briefly, the results are as follows: Using the IRAS data base, we surveyed the 1808 06-B9.5 stars in the Bright Star Catalog for extended excess emission at 60 micrometers, indicating the presence of heated dust (cirrus hotspots) at the location of the star. Measurements of the angular size and infrared flux at 12, 25, 60 and 100 micrometers were obtained for 302 objects. From these basic data we calculated the radius, absorption, optical depth, color temperature, and dust density for each object. Arguing that the stars are randomly distributed point probes of the ISM, we showed that the filling factor of the dust-bearing component of the ISM is 14.6 + 2.4 percent within 400 pc of the sun for clouds with an equivalent hydrogen density greater than 0.5 cm(exp -3). Above a density of 1.0 cm(exp -3) the density distribution function appears to follow a power law of index -1.25. Further, we showed that the dust is distributed more sparsely in a region near the sun about 60 pc wide and extending several hundred parsecs in the direction of longitudes 80-260 deg. The distances to the dust clouds were determined from the spectroscopic parallaxes of the embedded stars; when the HIPPARCOS parallaxes become available, we will be able to produce a more accurate three-dimensional view of the local ISM.

Gaustad, John E.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The geophysical signal of the martian global dichotomy

A first-order tectonic question for Mars is the origin and nature of the global dichotomy (GD) separating approximately the northern and southern hemispheres of the planet. It is appropriate to focus on hypotheses for the origin of the GD as well as on geophysical models of related internal structure that are constrained by present-day observations. There are basic planetary scale observations that relate to the GD: (1) the dichotomy boundary separates two fundamentally different elevations on the planet, as the terrain to the north is lower by an average of about 3 km; (2) the boundary separates terrain of regionally distinct crater ages, heavily cratered (older) in the south and sparsely cratered (younger) in the north; (3) the amount of ancient crust apparently removed from north of the dichotomy boundary cannot be accounted for by simple surface erosion and deposition in the south, and the constraint becomes particularly severe if isostatic adjustment is presumed to have accompanied this process. This last point leads to the supposition that some type of interior process must have been responsible for the creation of the GD. An obvious way to create the observed elevation difference between the two hemispheres is with a thinner crust in the north, although a denser cust would also work. Hypotheses for producing a thinner northern crust include preferential sub-crustal erosion, a giant impact, and simply invoking the crustal thickness difference as a primordial feature of the planet. If the GD represents a fundamental change in the crustal thickness of Mars, then there should be geophysical evidence of this. The center-of-figure to center-of-mass offset of the planet may be related to the GD, but the Tharsis topography must certainly also contribute. If the Tharsis and GD effects can be separated, then a crustal thickness model can be tested, though the results will not be unique. The gravity field provides another geophysical constraint on GD models. A simple change in thickness of an isostatically compensated crust should show a characteristic gravity signal across the dichotomy boundary. There is a gravity anomaly that is clearly associated with the boundary in regions where the gravity signal is not cluttered by contributions from other features such as Tharsis and Elysium. The gravity signal has a complex spatial relationship with the boundary, and efforts are presently underway to model this anomaly.

Phillips, Roger J.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Advanced radiometric and interferometric milimeter-wave scene simulations

Smart munitions and weapons utilize various imaging sensors (including passive IR, active and passive millimeter-wave, and visible wavebands) to detect/identify targets at short standoff ranges and in varied terrain backgrounds. In order to design and evaluate these sensors under a variety of conditions, a high-fidelity scene simulation capability is necessary. Such a capability for passive millimeter-wave scene simulation exists at TRW. TRW's Advanced Radiometric Millimeter-Wave Scene Simulation (ARMSS) code is a rigorous, benchmarked, end-to-end passive millimeter-wave scene simulation code for interpreting millimeter-wave data, establishing scene signatures and evaluating sensor performance. In passive millimeter-wave imaging, resolution is limited due to wavelength and aperture size. Where high resolution is required, the utility of passive millimeter-wave imaging is confined to short ranges. Recent developments in interferometry have made possible high resolution applications on military platforms. Interferometry or synthetic aperture radiometry allows the creation of a high resolution image with a sparsely filled aperture. Borrowing from research work in radio astronomy, we have developed and tested at TRW scene reconstruction algorithms that allow the recovery of the scene from a relatively small number of spatial frequency components. In this paper, the TRW modeling capability is described and numerical results are presented.

Hauss, B. I.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Investigation of advanced fault insertion and simulator methods

The cooperative agreement partly supported research leading to the open-literature publication cited. Additional efforts under the agreement included research into fault modeling of semiconductor devices. Results of this research are presented in this report which is summarized in the following paragraphs. As a result of the cited research, it appears that semiconductor failure mechanism data is abundant but of little use in developing pin-level device models. Failure mode data on the other hand does exist but is too sparse to be of any statistical use in developing fault models. What is significant in the failure mode data is that, unlike classical logic, MSI and LSI devices do exhibit more than 'stuck-at' and open/short failure modes. Specifically they are dominated by parametric failures and functional anomalies that can include intermittent faults and multiple-pin failures. The report discusses methods of developing composite pin-level models based on extrapolation of semiconductor device failure mechanisms, failure modes, results of temperature stress testing and functional modeling. Limitations of this model particularly with regard to determination of fault detection coverage and latency time measurement are discussed. Indicated research directions are presented.

Dunn, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1993

A method for the modelling of porous and solid wind tunnel walls in computational fluid dynamics codes

Porous wall wind tunnels have been used for several decades and have proven effective in reducing wall interference effects in both low speed and transonic testing. They allow for testing through Mach 1, reduce blockage effects and reduce shock wave reflections in the test section. Their usefulness in developing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes has been limited, however, by the difficulties associated with modelling the effect of a porous wall in CFD codes. Previous approaches to modelling porous wall effects have depended either upon a simplified linear boundary condition, which has proven inadequate, or upon detailed measurements of the normal velocity near the wall, which require extensive wind tunnel time. The current work was initiated in an effort to find a simple, accurate method of modelling a porous wall boundary condition in CFD codes. The development of such a method would allow data from porous wall wind tunnels to be used more readily in validating CFD codes. This would be beneficial when transonic validations are desired, or when large models are used to achieve high Reynolds numbers in testing. A computational and experimental study was undertaken to investigate a new method of modelling solid and porous wall boundary conditions in CFD codes. The method utilized experimental measurements at the walls to develop a flow field solution based on the method of singularities. This flow field solution was then imposed as a pressure boundary condition in a CFD simulation of the internal flow field. The effectiveness of this method in describing the effect of porosity changes on the wall was investigated. Also, the effectiveness of this method when only sparse experimental measurements were available has been investigated. The current work demonstrated this approach for low speed flows and compared the results with experimental data obtained from a heavily instrumented variable porosity test section. The approach developed was simple, computationally inexpensive, and did not require extensive or intrusive measurements of the boundary conditions during the wind tunnel test. It may be applied to both solid and porous wall wind tunnel tests.

Beutner, Thomas John↗

NASA NTRS1994

A neural network with modular hierarchical learning

This invention provides a new hierarchical approach for supervised neural learning of time dependent trajectories. The modular hierarchical methodology leads to architectures which are more structured than fully interconnected networks. The networks utilize a general feedforward flow of information and sparse recurrent connections to achieve dynamic effects. The advantages include the sparsity of units and connections, the modular organization. A further advantage is that the learning is much more circumscribed learning than in fully interconnected systems. The present invention is embodied by a neural network including a plurality of neural modules each having a pre-established performance capability wherein each neural module has an output outputting present results of the performance capability and an input for changing the present results of the performance capabilitiy. For pattern recognition applications, the performance capability may be an oscillation capability producing a repeating wave pattern as the present results. In the preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of neural modules includes a pre-established capability portion and a performance adjustment portion connected to control the pre-established capability portion.

Baldi, Pierre F.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Evaluation of several non-reflecting computational boundary conditions for duct acoustics

Several non-reflecting computational boundary conditions that meet certain criteria and have potential applications to duct acoustics are evaluated for their effectiveness. The same interior solution scheme, grid, and order of approximation are used to evaluate each condition. Sparse matrix solution techniques are applied to solve the matrix equation resulting from the discretization. Modal series solutions for the sound attenuation in an infinite duct are used to evaluate the accuracy of each non-reflecting boundary conditions. The evaluations are performed for sound propagation in a softwall duct, for several sources, sound frequencies, and duct lengths. It is shown that a recently developed nonlocal boundary condition leads to sound attenuation predictions considerably more accurate for short ducts. This leads to a substantial reduction in the number of grid points when compared to other non-reflecting conditions.

Watson, Willie R.↗

NASA NTRS1993

The growth of the UniTree mass storage system at the NASA Center for Computational Sciences

In October 1992, the NASA Center for Computational Sciences made its Convex-based UniTree system generally available to users. The ensuing months saw the growth of near-online data from nil to nearly three terabytes, a doubling of the number of CPU's on the facility's Cray YMP (the primary data source for UniTree), and the necessity for an aggressive regimen for repacking sparse tapes and hierarchical 'vaulting' of old files to freestanding tape. Connectivity was enhanced as well with the addition of UltraNet HiPPI. This paper describes the increasing demands placed on the storage system's performance and throughput that resulted from the significant augmentation of compute-server processor power and network speed.

Tarshish, Adina↗

NASA NTRS1994

New prospects for analyzing lunar pyroclastic glass

Pyroclastic glass particles of diverse compositions are sparsely distributed in the lunar soil. Numerous suspected pyroclastic deposits have been pinpointed on the nearside. However, a dearth of pure samples large enough for spectral study, coupled with the kilometer spatial resolution of earth-based telescope spectrometry, makes it difficult to remotely analyze these deposits or tie most glasses to specific sources. Two developments should soon improve this situation. First, the technique of microscope photometry combined with microprobe analysis allows the correlation of the reflectance spectra and chemical compositions of individual glass particles. Second, the Clementine spacecraft will provide multispectral images of pyroclastic deposits at much higher spatial resolution than is currently achievable. These developments, combined with traditional laboratory and telescope studies, should allow compositions of many pyroclastic deposits and sources of many soil particles to be determined.

Allen, C. C.↗

NASA NTRS1994

MME-based attitude dynamics identification and estimation for SAMPEX

A method is described for obtaining optimal attitude estimation algorithms for spacecraft lacking attitude rate measurement devices (rate gyros), and then demonstrated using actual flight data from the Solar, Anomalous, and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX) spacecraft. SAMPEX does not have on-board rate sensing, and relies on sun sensors and a three-axis magnetometer for attitude determination. Problems arise since typical attitude estimation is accomplished by filtering measurements of both attitude and attitude rates. Rates are nearly always sampled much more densely than are attitudes. Thus, the absence/loss of rate data normally reduces both the total amount of data available and the sampling density (in time) by a substantial fraction. As a result, the sensitivity of the estimates to model uncertainty and to measurement noise increases. In order to maintain accuracy in the attitude estimates, there is increased need for accurate models of the rotational dynamics. The proposed approach is based on the minimum model error (MME) optimal estimation strategy, which has been successfully applied to estimation of poorly modeled dynamic systems which are relatively sparsely and/or noisily measured. The MME estimates may be used to construct accurate models of the system dynamics (i.e. perform system model identification). Thus, an MME-based approach directly addresses the problems created by absence of attitude rate measurements.

Depena, Juan↗

NASA NTRS1993

The atmospheric SO2 budget for Pinatubo derived from NOAA-11 SBUV/2 spectral data

Spectral scan data from the NOAA-11 SBUV/2 instrument were used to derive SO2 for three days following the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo - June 19, July 1, and July 17, 1991. Band structure between 300 and 310 nm observed in the backscattered albedo uniquely identifies the presence of SO2. Band ratios are used to infer SO2 amounts to better accuracy (10-20 percent) and sensitivity (about 0.5 milli-atm-cm of SO2) than the TOMS retrieval, but with relatively poor spatial coverage because the measurement is nadir only. Only 7 scans showed detectable SO2 on June 19 when the cloud was still very localized. On July 1 there were 29 scans between 35N and 12S with SO2, with the highest concentration detected over the Atlantic, and on July 17 SO2 was detected in 30 scans around the world, but in decreased concentration. Estimates of the total SO2 budget made after the cloud had spread sufficiently for the sparse SBUV/2 sampling to be adequate indicated that there were 8.4 million metric tons (MMT) of SO2 in the stratosphere on July 1, 1991, and 4.1 MMT remaining on July 17. This corresponds to an e-folding time of about 24 days for the conversion of SO2 to aerosol, and is consistent with an initial injection into the stratosphere of 12-15 MMT of SO2.

Mcpeters, Richard D.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Extending model-based diagnosis for analog thermodynamical devices

The increasing complexity of process control applications have posed difficult problems in fault detection, isolation, and recovery. Deep knowledge-based approaches, such as model-based diagnosis, have offered some promise in addressing these problems. However, the difficulties of adapting these techniques to situations involving numerical reasoning and noise have limited the applicability of these techniques. This paper describes an extension of classical model-based diagnosis techniques to deal with sparse data, noise, and complex noninvertible numerical models. These diagnosis techniques are being applied to the External Active Thermal Control System for Space Station Freedom.

Rouquette, Nicolas↗

NASA NTRS1993

Two-dimensional radiative transfer in cloudy atmospheres - The spherical harmonic spatial grid method

A new two-dimensional monochromatic method that computes the transfer of solar or thermal radiation through atmospheres with arbitrary optical properties is described. The model discretizes the radiative transfer equation by expanding the angular part of the radiance field in a spherical harmonic series and representing the spatial part with a discrete grid. The resulting sparse coupled system of equations is solved iteratively with the conjugate gradient method. A Monte Carlo model is used for extensive verification of outgoing flux and radiance values from both smooth and highly variable (multifractal) media. The spherical harmonic expansion naturally allows for different levels of approximation, but tests show that the 2D equivalent of the two-stream approximation is poor at approximating variations in the outgoing flux. The model developed here is shown to be highly efficient so that media with tens of thousands of grid points can be computed in minutes. The large improvement in efficiency will permit quick, accurate radiative transfer calculations of realistic cloud fields and improve our understanding of the effect of inhomogeneity on radiative transfer in cloudy atmospheres.

Evans, K. F.↗