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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 163 records · Page 9

Automatic Overset Grid Generation with Heuristic Feedback Control

An advancing front grid generation system for structured Overset grids is presented which automatically modifies Overset structured surface grids and control lines until user-specified grid qualities are achieved. The system is demonstrated on two examples: the first refines a space shuttle fuselage control line until global truncation error is achieved; the second advances, from control lines, the space shuttle orbiter fuselage top and fuselage side surface grids until proper overlap is achieved. Surface grids are generated in minutes for complex geometries. The system is implemented as a heuristic feedback control (HFC) expert system which iteratively modifies the input specifications for Overset control line and surface grids. It is developed as an extension of modern control theory, production rules systems and subsumption architectures. The methodology provides benefits over the full knowledge lifecycle of an expert system for knowledge acquisition, knowledge representation, and knowledge execution. The vector/matrix framework of modern control theory systematically acquires and represents expert system knowledge. Missing matrix elements imply missing expert knowledge. The execution of the expert system knowledge is performed through symbolic execution of the matrix algebra equations of modern control theory. The dot product operation of matrix algebra is generalized for heuristic symbolic terms. Constant time execution is guaranteed.

Robinson, Peter I.↗

A multiprocessor airborne lidar data system

A new multiprocessor data acquisition system was developed for the existing Airborne Oceanographic Lidar (AOL). This implementation simultaneously utilizes five single board 68010 microcomputers, the UNIX system V operating system, and the real time executive VRTX. The original data acquisition system was implemented on a Hewlett Packard HP 21-MX 16 bit minicomputer using a multi-tasking real time operating system and a mixture of assembly and FORTRAN languages. The present collection of data sources produce data at widely varied rates and require varied amounts of burdensome real time processing and formatting. It was decided to replace the aging HP 21-MX minicomputer with a multiprocessor system. A new and flexible recording format was devised and implemented to accommodate the constantly changing sensor configuration. A central feature of this data system is the minimization of non-remote sensing bus traffic. Therefore, it is highly desirable that each micro be capable of functioning as much as possible on-card or via private peripherals. The bus is used primarily for the transfer of remote sensing data to or from the buffer queue.

Wright, C. W.↗

A Case Study on the HACCmk Routine in SYCL on Integrated Graphics

As opposed to the Open Computing Language (OpenCL) programming model in which host and device codes are generally written in different languages, the SYCL programming model can combine host and device codes for an application in a type-safe way to improve development productivity. In this paper, we chose the HACCmk routine, a representative compute-bound kernel, as a case study on the performance of the SYCL programming model targeting a heterogeneous computing device. More specifically, we introduced the SYCL programming model, presented the OpenCL and SYCL implementations of the routine, and compared the performance of the two implementations using the offline and online compilation on Intel (R) Iris (TM) Pro integrated GPUs. We found that the overhead of online compilation may become significant compared to the execution time of a kernel. Compared to the performance of OpenCL implementations, the SYCL implementation can maintain the performance using the offline compilation. The number of execution units in a GPU are critical to improving the raw performance of a compute-bound kernel.

Compilation modes↗

Optimization Algorithms as Quantum Performance Benchmarks

Combinatorial optimization is anticipated to be one of the primary use cases for quantum computation in the coming years. The Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) and Quantum Annealing (QA) have the potential to demonstrate significant run-time performance benefits over current state-of-the-art solutions. Using existing methods for characterizing classical optimization algorithms, we analyze solution quality obtained by solving Max-Cut problems using a quantum annealing device and gate-model quantum simulators and devices. This is used to guide the development of an advanced benchmarking framework for quantum computers designed to evaluate the trade-off between run-time execution performance and the solution quality for iterative hybrid quantum-classical applications. The framework generates performance profiles through effective visualizations that show performance progression as a function of time for various problem sizes and illustrates algorithm limitations uncovered by the benchmarking approach. The framework is an enhancement to the existing open-source QED-C Application-Oriented Benchmark suite and can connect to the open-source analysis libraries. The suite can be executed on various quantum simulators and quantum hardware systems.

benchmarking↗

Scalable multiscale modeling of platelets with 100 million particles

Here, we developed the core components of the AI-aided multiple time stepping algorithm for multiscale modeling of cell dynamics. This algorithm was implemented and analyzed on two supercomputer architectures with an application of simulating the aggregation of 250 platelets, or 102 million particles. To scale on these computers with complex memory and network architectures with GPUs, we devised a biomechanics-informed task mapping scheme to optimize load imbalance, communications, and memory utilization. Our simulations, scaling well up to 192 nodes on a Summit-like supercomputer with a peak speed of 11 petaflops, achieved a rate of 423 μs/day which is 500 times faster than the conventional algorithm using static time step and this has enabled studies of record size blood clots at record spatial–temporal resolutions. Additionally, we discovered the sensitive dependence of the scalability and execution time on the methods of decomposition, CPU–GPU coupling, and task mapping.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Implicitly Coordinated Detect and Avoid Capability for Safe Autonomous Operation of Small UAS

As the airspace becomes increasingly shared by autonomous small Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), there would be a pressing need for coordination strategies so that aircraft can safely and independently maneuver around obstacles, geofences, and traffic aircraft. Explicitly coordinating resolution strategies for small UAS would require additional components such as a reliable vehicle-to-vehicle communication infrastructure and standardized protocols for information exchange that could significantly increase the cost of deploying small UAS in a shared airspace. This paper explores a novel approach that enables multiple aircraft to implicitly coordinate their resolution maneuvers. By requiring all aircraft to execute the proposed approach deterministically, it is possible for all of them to implicitly agree on the region of airspace each will be occupying in a given time interval. The proposed approach lends itself to the construction of a suitable feedback mechanism that enables the real-time execution of an implicitly conflict-free path in a closed-loop manner dealing with uncertainties in aircraft speed. If a network infrastructure is available, the proposed approach can also exploit the benefits of explicit information.

Balachandran, Swee↗

An O(N squared) method for computing the eigensystem of N by N symmetric tridiagonal matrices by the divide and conquer approach

An efficient method is proposed to solve the eigenproblem of N by N Symmetric Tridiagonal (ST) matrices. Unlike the standard eigensolvers which necessitate O(N cubed) operations to compute the eigenvectors of such ST matrices, the proposed method computes both the eigenvalues and eigenvectors with only O(N squared) operations. The method is based on serial implementation of the recently introduced Divide and Conquer (DC) algorithm. It exploits the fact that by O(N squared) of DC operations, one can compute the eigenvalues of N by N ST matrix and a finite number of pairs of successive rows of its eigenvector matrix. The rest of the eigenvectors--all of them or one at a time--are computed by linear three-term recurrence relations. Numerical examples are presented which demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method by saving an order of magnitude in execution time at the expense of sacrificing a few orders of accuracy.

Gill, Doron↗

Putting time into proof outlines

A logic for reasoning about timing properties of concurrent programs is presented. The logic is based on Hoare-style proof outlines and can handle maximal parallelism as well as certain resource-constrained execution environments. The correctness proof for a mutual exclusion protocol that uses execution timings in a subtle way illustrates the logic in action. A soundness proof using structural operational semantics is outlined in the appendix.

Schneider, Fred B.↗

An inference engine for embedded diagnostic systems

The implementation of an inference engine for embedded diagnostic systems is described. The system consists of two distinct parts. The first is an off-line compiler which accepts a propositional logical statement of the relationship between facts and conclusions and produces data structures required by the on-line inference engine. The second part consists of the inference engine and interface routines which accept assertions of fact and return the conclusions which necessarily follow. Given a set of assertions, it will generate exactly the conclusions which logically follow. At the same time, it will detect any inconsistencies which may propagate from an inconsistent set of assertions or a poorly formulated set of rules. The memory requirements are fixed and the worst case execution times are bounded at compile time. The data structures and inference algorithms are very simple and well understood. The data structures and algorithms are described in detail. The system has been implemented on Lisp, Pascal, and Modula-2.

Fox, Barry R.↗

PC-CUBE: A Personal Computer Based Hypercube

PC-CUBE is an ensemble of IBM PCs or close compatibles connected in the hypercube topology with ordinary computer cables. Communication occurs at the rate of 115.2 K-band via the RS-232 serial links. Available for PC-CUBE is the Crystalline Operating System III (CrOS III), Mercury Operating System, CUBIX and PLOTIX which are parallel I/O and graphics libraries. A CrOS performance monitor was developed to facilitate the measurement of communication and computation time of a program and their effects on performance. Also available are CXLISP, a parallel version of the XLISP interpreter; GRAFIX, some graphics routines for the EGA and CGA; and a general execution profiler for determining execution time spent by program subroutines. PC-CUBE provides a programming environment similar to all hypercube systems running CrOS III, Mercury and CUBIX. In addition, every node (personal computer) has its own graphics display monitor and storage devices. These allow data to be displayed or stored at every processor, which has much instructional value and enables easier debugging of applications. Some application programs which are taken from the book Solving Problems on Concurrent Processors (Fox 88) were implemented with graphics enhancement on PC-CUBE. The applications range from solving the Mandelbrot set, Laplace equation, wave equation, long range force interaction, to WaTor, an ecological simulation.

Ho, Alex↗

NASA/MOD Operations Impacts from Shuttle Program

Operations plays a pivotal role in the success of any human spaceflight program. This paper will highlight some of the core tenets of spaceflight operations from a systems perspective and use several examples from the Space Shuttle Program to highlight where the success and safety of a mission can hinge upon the preparedness and competency of the operations team. Further, awareness of the types of operations scenarios and impacts that can arise during human crewed space missions can help inform design and mission planning decisions long before a vehicle gets into orbit. A strong operations team is crucial to the development of future programs; capturing the lessons learned from the successes and failures of a past program will allow for safer, more efficient, and better designed programs in the future. No matter how well a vehicle is designed and constructed, there are always unexpected events or failures that occur during space flight missions. Preparation, training, real-time execution, and troubleshooting are skills and values of the Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) flight controller; these operational standards have proven invaluable to the Space Shuttle Program. Understanding and mastery of these same skills will be required of any operations team as technology advances and new vehicles are developed. This paper will focus on individual Space Shuttle mission case studies where specific operational skills, techniques, and preparedness allowed for mission safety and success. It will detail the events leading up to the scenario or failure, how the operations team identified and dealt with the failure and its downstream impacts. The various options for real-time troubleshooting will be discussed along with the operations team final recommendation, execution, and outcome. Finally, the lessons learned will be summarized along with an explanation of how these lessons were used to improve the operational preparedness of future flight control teams.

Fitzpatrick, Michael↗

Estimation and enhancement of real-time software reliability through mutation analysis

A simulation-based technique for obtaining numerical estimates of the reliability of N-version, real-time software is presented. An extended stochastic Petri net is employed to represent the synchronization structure of N versions of the software, where dependencies among versions are modeled through correlated sampling of module execution times. Test results utilizing specifications for NASA's planetary lander control software indicate that mutation-based testing could hold greater potential for enhancing reliability than the desirable but perhaps unachievable goal of independence among N versions.

Geist, Robert↗

An experimental comparison of a space-time multigrid method with PFASST for a reaction-diffusion problem

We consider two parallel-in-time approaches applied to a (reaction) diffusion problem, possibly non-linear. In particular, we consider PFASST (Parallel Full Approximation Scheme in Space and Time) and space-time multigrid strategies. For both approaches, we start from an integral formulation of the continuous time dependent problem. Then, a collocation form for PFASST and a discontinuous Galerkin discretization in time for the space-time multi-grid are employed, resulting in the same discrete solution at the time nodes. Strong and weak scaling of both multilevel strategies are compared for varying orders of the temporal discretization. Moreover, we investigate the respective convergence behavior for non-linear problems and highlight quantitative differences in execution times

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Certification trails and software design for testability

Design techniques which may be applied to make program testing easier were investigated. Methods for modifying a program to generate additional data which we refer to as a certification trail are presented. This additional data is designed to allow the program output to be checked more quickly and effectively. Certification trails were described primarily from a theoretical perspective. A comprehensive attempt to assess experimentally the performance and overall value of the certification trail method is reported. The method was applied to nine fundamental, well-known algorithms for the following problems: convex hull, sorting, huffman tree, shortest path, closest pair, line segment intersection, longest increasing subsequence, skyline, and voronoi diagram. Run-time performance data for each of these problems is given, and selected problems are described in more detail. Our results indicate that there are many cases in which certification trails allow for significantly faster overall program execution time than a 2-version programming approach, and also give further evidence of the breadth of applicability of this method.

Sullivan, Gregory F.↗

Spatialyze: A Geospatial Video Analytics System with Spatial-Aware Optimizations

Videos that are shot using commodity hardware such as phones and surveillance cameras record various metadata such as time and location. We encounter suchgeospatial videoson a daily basis and such videos have been growing in volume significantly. Yet, we do not have data management systems that allow users to interact with such data effectively. In this paper, we describe Spatialyze, a new framework for end-to-end querying of geospatial videos. Spatialyze comes with a domain-specific language where users can construct geospatial video analytic workflows using a 3-step, declarative,build-filter-observeparadigm. Internally, Spatialyze leverages the declarative nature of such workflows, the temporal-spatial metadata stored with videos, and physical behavior of real-world objects to optimize the execution of workflows. Our results using real-world videos and workflows show that Spatialyze can reduce execution time by up to 5.3×, while maintaining up to 97.1% accuracy compared to unoptimized execution.

Computer Science↗

Ocelot: An Interactive, Efficient Distributed Compression-As-a-Service Platform With Optimized Data Compression Techniques

Large volumes of data generated by scientific simulations, genome sequencing, and other applications need to be moved among clusters for data collection/analysis. Data compression techniques have effectively reduced data storage and transfer costs. However, users' requirements on interactively controlling both data quality and compression ratios are non-trivial to fulfill. Here, we propose a novel Compression-as-a-Service (CaaS) platform called Ocelot with four important contributions: (1) It offers real-time visualization, interactive compression, and transfer of scientific datasets. (2) It incorporates new strategies for compressing diverse types of datasets more effectively than traditional methods. (3) It provides an effective method for estimating the compression ratio and execution time of compression tasks. (4) Experiments on multiple real-world datasets on geographically distributed computers show that Ocelot can significantly improve data transfer efficiency with a performance gain of more than 10x in computing clusters with relatively slow networks.

compression as a service (CaaS)↗

Real time digital propulsion system simulation for manned flight simulators

A real time digital simulation of a STOL propulsion system was developed which generates significant dynamics and internal variables needed to evaluate system performance and aircraft interactions using manned flight simulators. The simulation ran at a real-to-execution time ratio of 8.8. The model was used in a piloted NASA flight simulator program to evaluate the simulation technique and the propulsion system digital control. The simulation is described and results shown. Limited results of the flight simulation program are also presented.

Mihaloew, J. R.↗

Automatic Halo Management for the Uintah GPU-Heterogeneous Asynchronous Many-Task Runtime

The Uintah computational framework is used for the parallel solution of partial differential equations on adaptive mesh refinement grids using modern supercomputers. Uintah is structured with an application layer and a separate runtime system. Uintah is based on a distributed directed acyclic graph of computational tasks, with a task scheduler that efficiently schedules and executes these tasks on both CPU cores and on-node accelerators. The runtime system identifies task dependencies, creates a task graph prior to the execution of these tasks, automatically generates MPI message tags, and automatically performs halo transfers for simulation variables. Automating halo transfers in a heterogeneous environment poses significant challenges when tasks compute within a few milliseconds, as runtime overhead affects wall time execution, or when simulation variables require large halos spanning most or all of the computational domain, as task dependencies become expensive to process. These challenges are magnified at production scale when application developers require each compute node perform thousands of different halo transfers among thousands simulation variables. The principal contribution of this work is to (1) identify and address inefficiencies that arise when mapping tasks onto the GPU in the presence of automated halo transfers, (2) implement new schemes to reduce runtime system overhead, (3) minimize application developer involvement with the runtime, and (4) show overhead reduction results from these improvements.

Concurrency↗