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At least 919 records · Page 51

A Parallel Trade Study Architecture for Design Optimization of Complex Systems

Design of a successful product requires evaluating many design alternatives in a limited design cycle time. This can be achieved through leveraging design space exploration tools and available computing resources on the network. This paper presents a parallel trade study architecture to integrate trade study clients and computing resources on a network using Web services. The parallel trade study solution is demonstrated to accelerate design of experiments, genetic algorithm optimization, and a cost as an independent variable (CAIV) study for a space system application.

Kim, Hongman↗

SNS programming environment user's guide

This document briefly describes the computing environment for the Supercomputing Network Subsystem (SNS) of the Central Scientific Computing Complex of the Langley Research Center. The major SNS computers are a CRAY-2, a CRAY Y-MP, a CONVEX C-210, and a CONVEX C-220. It describes the software that is common to all of these computers, including; the UNIX operating system, graphics, networking utilities, mass storage, and mathematical libraries. It also describes file management, validation, SNS configuration, documentation and customer services. The document is intended for all SNS users as a ready reference to frequently asked questions and to more detailed information contained within the vendor manuals. It is appropriate for both the novice and the experienced user.

Supercomputing↗

Prevalence and scalable control of localized networks

The ability to control network dynamics is essential for ensuring desirable functionality of many technological, biological, and social systems. Such systems often consist of a large number of network elements, and controlling large-scale networks remains challenging because the computation and communication requirements increase prohibitively fast with network size. Here, we introduce a notion of network locality that can be exploited to make the control of networks scalable, even when the dynamics are nonlinear. We show that network locality is captured by an information metric and is almost universally observed across real and model networks. In localized networks, the optimal control actions and system responses are both shown to be necessarily concentrated in small neighborhoods induced by the information metric. This allows us to develop localized algorithms for determining network controllability and optimizing the placement of driver nodes. This also allows us to develop a localized algorithm for designing local feedback controllers that approach the performance of the corresponding best global controllers, while incurring a computational cost orders-of-magnitude lower. Here, we validate the locality, performance, and efficiency of the algorithms in Kuramoto oscillator networks, as well as three large empirical networks: synchronization dynamics in the Eastern US power grid, epidemic spreading mediated by the global air-transportation network, and Alzheimer’s disease dynamics in a human brain network. Taken together, our results establish that large networks can be controlled with computation and communication costs comparable to those for small networks.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Unifying Combinatorial and Graphical Methods in Artificial Intelligence

Recently, a new graph Laplacian, called the inner product Laplacian, was introduced which generalizes many existing Laplacians, including the normalized and combinatorial Laplacian and their weighted variants. The key observation behind the inner product Laplacian is that by defining appropriate inner product spaces on the vertices and edges, the standard Laplacians can be recovered as Hodge Laplacians over the simplicial complex formed by the edges and vertices. These inner product spaces form a natural way to incorporate non-combinatorial information into the definition of a domain-specific Laplacian. In particular, in contrast to current domain-specific weighting schemes which rely solely on edge weights, information regarding the similarity of non-adjacent vertices and arbitrary pairs of edges can be effectively incorporated into the Laplacian. In order to illustrate this approach we consider the problem of calculating the potential energy of an atomistic configuration using Graph Neural Networks. In comparison with start-of-the-art approaches, such as SchNet, our approach replaces a learned (via auto-encoder) representation of the atom types with an inner product space on atoms based on scientific knowledge (e.g., electronegativity). We will illustrate how this approach captures key chemical properties of the molecules and compare the energy calculations with state-of-the-art neural network approaches. However, to compute the resulting Laplacian involves a mixture of sparse and dense matrix computation and yields a dense matrix as the basis for the graph convolution. This dense convolutional kernel necessitates moving away from the standard message passing framework for graph neural networks and increases the computational cost of applying the kernel. In order to mitigate these costs we investigate means of leveraging the mixed sparse and dense computations to reduce the overall computational cost and how these approaches can be automatically transferred to energy efficient hardware (e.g., field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)).

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Method and apparatus for determining and utilizing a time-expanded decision network

A method, apparatus and computer program for determining and utilizing a time-expanded decision network is presented. A set of potential system configurations is defined. Next, switching costs are quantified to create a "static network" that captures the difficulty of switching among these configurations. A time-expanded decision network is provided by expanding the static network in time, including chance and decision nodes. Minimum cost paths through the network are evaluated under plausible operating scenarios. The set of initial design configurations are iteratively modified to exploit high-leverage switches and the process is repeated to convergence. Time-expanded decision networks are applicable, but not limited to, the design of systems, products, services and contracts.

Silver, Matthew↗

Geometric adjustment of the South American satellite densification (PC-1000) network

Reduced normal equations were computed from observation data and combined with reduced normal equations of other satellite networks to provide station coordinates from a single least square adjustment. Terrestrial data, which include base-lines, heights, and survey coordinates, provide the necessary relative position constraints between collocated stations of two satellite networks. Survey information regarding the observation stations is summarized, and constraints used in the solution are given. Geoidal undulations are computed by using the formula and constants shown.

Mueller, I. I.↗

Quantum circuit fidelity estimation using machine learning

The computational power of real-world quantum computers is limited by errors. When using quantum computers to perform algorithms which cannot be efficiently simulated classically, it is important to quantify the accuracy with which the computation has been performed. In this work, we introduce a machine learning-based technique to estimate the fidelity between the state produced by a noisy quantum circuit and the target state corresponding to ideal noise-free computation. Our machine learning model is trained in a supervised manner, using smaller or simpler circuits for which the fidelity can be estimated using other techniques like direct fidelity estimation and quantum state tomography. Here we demonstrate that, for simulated random quantum circuits with a realistic noise model, the trained model can predict the fidelities of more complicated circuits for which such methods are infeasible. In particular, we show that the trained model may make predictions for circuits with higher degrees of entanglement than were available in the training set and that the model may make predictions for non-Clifford circuits even when the training set included only Clifford-reducible circuits. This empirical demonstration suggests classical machine learning may be useful for making predictions about beyond-classical quantum circuits for some non-trivial problems.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Detecting Quantum Critical Points of Correlated Systems by Quantum Convolutional Neural Network Using Data from Variational Quantum Eigensolver

Machine learning has been applied to a wide variety of models, from classical statistical mechanics to quantum strongly correlated systems, for classifying phase transitions. The recently proposed quantum convolutional neural network (QCNN) provides a new framework for using quantum circuits instead of classical neural networks as the backbone of classification methods. We present the results from training the QCNN by the wavefunctions of the variational quantum eigensolver for the one-dimensional transverse field Ising model (TFIM). We demonstrate that the QCNN identifies wavefunctions corresponding to the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic phases of the TFIM with reasonable accuracy. The QCNN can be trained to predict the corresponding ‘phase’ of wavefunctions around the putative quantum critical point even though it is trained by wavefunctions far away. The paper provides a basis for exploiting the QCNN to identify the quantum critical point.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

MAX - An advanced parallel computer for space applications

MAX is a fault-tolerant multicomputer hardware and software architecture designed to meet the needs of NASA spacecraft systems. It consists of conventional computing modules (computers) connected via a dual network topology. One network is used to transfer data among the computers and between computers and I/O devices. This network's topology is arbitrary. The second network operates as a broadcast medium for operating system synchronization messages and supports the operating system's Byzantine resilience. A fully distributed operating system supports multitasking in an asynchronous event and data driven environment. A large grain dataflow paradigm is used to coordinate the multitasking and provide easy control of concurrency. It is the basis of the system's fault tolerance and allows both static and dynamical location of tasks. Redundant execution of tasks with software voting of results may be specified for critical tasks. The dataflow paradigm also supports simplified software design, test and maintenance. A unique feature is a method for reliably patching code in an executing dataflow application.

Lewis, Blair F.↗

Computing system operational methods and apparatus

Computing system operational methods and apparatus are described. According to one aspect, a computing system operational method includes accessing user information regarding a user logging onto a computing device of the computing system, processing the user information to determine if the user information is authentic, as a result of the processing determining that the user information is authentic, first enabling the computing device to execute an application segment, and as a result of the processing determining that the user information is authentic, second enabling the application segment to communicate data externally of the computing device via one of a plurality of network segments of the computing system.

Edgar, Thomas W.↗

Robustness Computation of Dynamic Controllability in Probabilistic Temporal Networks with Ordinary Distributions

Most existing works in Probabilistic Simple Temporal Networks (PSTNs) base their frameworks on well-defined probability distributions. This paper addresses on PSTN Dynamic Controllability (DC) robustness measure, i.e. the execution success probability of a network under dynamic control.We consider PSTNs where the probability distributions of the contingent edges are ordinary distributed (e.g. non-parametric, non-symmetric). We introduce the concepts of dispatching protocol (DP) as well as DP-robustness, the probability of success under a predefined dynamic policy.We propose a fixed-parameter pseudo-polynomial time algorithm to compute the exact DP-robustness of any PSTN under \textit{NextFirst} protocol, and apply to various PSTN datasets, including the real case of planetary exploration in the context of the Mars 2020 rover, and propose an original structural analysis.

Saint-Guillain, Michael↗

Reconfigurable plasma-dielectric hybrid photonic crystal as a platform for electromagnetic wave manipulation and computing

The introduction of 3D printing has enabled fabrication of photonic crystal devices with complex crystal structures that would be challenging to construct using other fabrication methods. In this paper, we construct and characterize a photonic crystal consisting of two 4 x 8 x 8 cubic lattices composed of spherical silicon nitride elements straddling a layer of 8 plasma discharge tubes, creating a 3D hybrid plasma photonic crystal device. Integrating under-dense gaseous plasma elements provides a unique coupling dynamic between the dielectric spheres and the cylindrical plasma discharges, creating a monolithic hybrid photonic crystal with solid state and reconfigurable elements. The device has resonant modes that have attenuation peaks that are either switchable, tunable in amplitude, or tunable in frequency with variations in plasma density. The response of these bands seen with varying plasma density is confirmed through simulations when effects due to the heating of the photonic crystal from the gaseous plasma elements are accounted for in the experiments. We discuss how this reconfigurable device may be used and expanded upon for applications in photonic artificial neural networks and optical computing systems.

3D printing↗

Status and projections of the NAS program

NASA's Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation (NAS) Program has completed development of the initial operating configuration of the NAS Processing System Network (NPSN). This is the first milestone in the continuing and pathfinding effort to provide state-of-the-art supercomputing for aeronautics research and development. The NPSN, available to a nation-wide community of remote users, provides a uniform UNIX environment over a network of host computers ranging from the Cray-2 supercomputer to advanced scientific workstations. This system, coupled with a vendor-independent base of common user interface and network software, presents a new paradigm for supercomputing environments. Background leading to the NAS program, its programmatic goals and strategies, technical goals and objectives, and the development activities leading to the current NPSN configuration are presented. Program status, near-term plans, and plans for the next major milestone, the extended operating configuration, are also discussed.

Bailey, Frank R.↗

OSI in the NASA science internet: An analysis

The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) protocol suite is a result of a world-wide effort to develop international standards for networking. OSI is formalized through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The goal of OSI is to provide interoperability between network products without relying on one particular vendor, and to do so on a multinational basis. The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a Government OSI Profile (GOSIP) that specified a subset of the OSI protocols as a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS 146). GOSIP compatibility has been adopted as the direction for all U.S. government networks. OSI is extremely diverse, and therefore adherence to a profile will facilitate interoperability within OSI networks. All major computer vendors have indicated current or future support of GOSIP-compliant OSI protocols in their products. The NASA Science Internet (NSI) is an operational network, serving user requirements under NASA's Office of Space Science and Applications. NSI consists of the Space Physics Analysis Network (SPAN) that uses the DECnet protocols and the NASA Science Network (NSN) that uses TCP/IP protocols. The NSI Project Office is currently working on an OSI integration analysis and strategy. A long-term goal is to integrate SPAN and NSN into one unified network service, using a full OSI protocol suite, which will support the OSSA user community.

Nitzan, Rebecca↗

Embedded Data Processor and Portable Computer Technology testbeds

Attention is given to current activities in the Embedded Data Processor and Portable Computer Technology testbed configurations that are part of the Advanced Data Systems Architectures Testbed at the Information Sciences Division at NASA Ames Research Center. The Embedded Data Processor Testbed evaluates advanced microprocessors for potential use in mission and payload applications within the Space Station Freedom Program. The Portable Computer Technology (PCT) Testbed integrates and demonstrates advanced portable computing devices and data system architectures. The PCT Testbed uses both commercial and custom-developed devices to demonstrate the feasibility of functional expansion and networking for portable computers in flight missions.

Alena, Richard↗

Status of the data acquisition, trigger, and slow control systems of the Mu2e experiment at Fermilab

The Mu2e experiment at the Fermilab will search for a coherent neutrinoless conversion of a muon into an electron in the field of an aluminum nucleus with a sensitivity improvement by a factor of 10,000 over existing limits. In this work, the Mu2e Trigger and Data Acquisition System (TDAQ) uses otsdaq framework as the online Data Acquisition System (DAQ) solution. Developed at Fermilab, otsdaq integrates several framework components — an artdaq-based DAQ, an art-based event processing, and an EPICS-based detector control system (DCS), and provides a uniform multi-user interface to its components through a web browser. Data streams from the Mu2e tracker and calorimeter are handled by the artdaq-based DAQ and processed by a one-level software trigger implemented within the art framework. Events accepted by the trigger have their data combined, post-trigger, with the separately read out data from the Mu2e Cosmic Ray Veto system. Foundation of the Mu2e DCS, EPICS – an Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System – is an open-source platform for monitoring, controlling, alarming, and archiving. A prototype of the TDAQ and the DCS systems has been built and tested over the last three years at Fermilab’s Feynman Computing Center, and now the production system installation is underway. This work presents their status and focus on the installation plans and procedures for racks, workstations, network switches, gateway computers, DAQ hardware, slow controls implementation, and testing.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Status and projections of the NAS Program

NASA's Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation (NAS) Program has completed development of the initial operating configuration of the NAS Processing System Network (NPSN). This is the first milestone in the continuing and pathfinding effort to provide state-of-the-art supercomputing for aeronautics research and development. The NPSN, available to a nation-wide community of remote users, provides a uniform UNIX environment over a network of host computers ranging from the new Cray-2 supercomputer to advanced scientific workstations. This system, coupled with a vendor-independent base of common user interface and network software, presents a new paradigm for supercomputing environments. Presented here is the background leading to the NAS Program, its programmatic goals and strategies, technical goals and objectives, and the development activities leading to the current NPSN configuration. Program status, near-term plans and plans for the next major milestone, the extended operating configuration, are also discussed.

Bailey, F. R.↗

Assignment Of Finite Elements To Parallel Processors

Elements assigned approximately optimally to subdomains. Mapping algorithm based on simulated-annealing concept used to minimize approximate time required to perform finite-element computation on hypercube computer or other network of parallel data processors. Mapping algorithm needed when shape of domain complicated or otherwise not obvious what allocation of elements to subdomains minimizes cost of computation.

Salama, Moktar A.↗