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At least 1,621 records · Page 90
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Algorithmic commonalities in the parallel environment

The ultimate aim of this project was to analyze procedures from substantially different application areas to discover what is either common or peculiar in the process of conversion to the Massively Parallel Processor (MPP). Three areas were identified: molecular dynamic simulation, production systems (rule systems), and various graphics and vision algorithms. To date, only selected graphics procedures have been investigated. They are the most readily available, and produce the most visible results. These include simple polygon patch rendering, raycasting against a constructive solid geometric model, and stochastic or fractal based textured surface algorithms. Only the simplest of conversion strategies, mapping a major loop to the array, has been investigated so far. It is not entirely satisfactory.

Mcanulty, Michael A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Data inversion algorithm development for the hologen occultation experiment

The successful retrieval of atmospheric parameters from radiometric measurement requires not only the ability to do ideal radiometric calculations, but also a detailed understanding of instrument characteristics. Therefore a considerable amount of time was spent in instrument characterization in the form of test data analysis and mathematical formulation. Analyses of solar-to-reference interference (electrical cross-talk), detector nonuniformity, instrument balance error, electronic filter time-constants and noise character were conducted. A second area of effort was the development of techniques for the ideal radiometric calculations required for the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) data reduction. The computer code for these calculations must be extremely complex and fast. A scheme for meeting these requirements was defined and the algorithms needed form implementation are currently under development. A third area of work included consulting on the implementation of the Emissivity Growth Approximation (EGA) method of absorption calculation into a HALOE broadband radiometer channel retrieval algorithm.

Gordley, Larry L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A vector-based failure detection and isolation algorithm for a dual fail-operational redundant strapdown inertial measurement unit

A vector-based failure detection and isolation technique for a skewed array of two degree-of-freedom inertial sensors is developed. Failure detection is based on comparison of parity equations with a threshold, and isolation is based on comparison of logic variables which are keyed to pass/fail results of the parity test. A multi-level approach to failure detection is used to ensure adequate coverage for the flight control, display, and navigation avionics functions. Sensor error models are introduced to expose the susceptibility of the parity equations to sensor errors and physical separation effects. The algorithm is evaluated in a simulation of a commercial transport operating in a range of light to severe turbulence environments. A bias-jump failure level of 0.2 deg/hr was detected and isolated properly in the light and moderate turbulence environments, but not detected in the extreme turbulence environment. An accelerometer bias-jump failure level of 1.5 milli-g was detected over all turbulence environments. For both types of inertial sensor, hard-over, and null type failures were detected in all environments without incident. The algorithm functioned without false alarm or isolation over all turbulence environments for the runs tested.

Morrell, Frederick R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The minimal residual QR-factorization algorithm for reliably solving subset regression problems

A new algorithm to solve test subset regression problems is described, called the minimal residual QR factorization algorithm (MRQR). This scheme performs a QR factorization with a new column pivoting strategy. Basically, this strategy is based on the change in the residual of the least squares problem. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that this basic scheme might be extended in a numerically efficient way to combine the advantages of existing numerical procedures, such as the singular value decomposition, with those of more classical statistical procedures, such as stepwise regression. This extension is presented as an advisory expert system that guides the user in solving the subset regression problem. The advantages of the new procedure are highlighted by a numerical example.

Verhaegen, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Architectures and algorithms for digital image processing; Proceedings of the Meeting, Cannes, France, December 5, 6, 1985

The conference presents papers on the architectures, algorithms, and applications of image processing. Particular attention is given to a very large scale integration system for image reconstruction from projections, a prebuffer algorithm for instant display of volume data, and an adaptive image sequence filtering scheme based on motion detection. Papers are also presented on a simple, direct practical method of sensing local motion and analyzing local optical flow, image matching techniques, and an automated biological dosimetry system.

Duff, Michael J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Algorithm developments for the Euler equations with calculations of transonic flows

A new algorithm has been developed for the Euler equations that uses flux vector splitting in combination with the concept of rotating the coordinate system to the local streamwise direction. Flux vector biasing is applied along the local streamwise direction and central differencing is used transverse to the flow direction. The flux vector biasing is switched from upwind for supersonic flow to downwind-biased for subsonic flow. This switching is based on the Mach number; hence the proper domain of dependence is used in the supersonic regions and the switching occurs across shock waves. The theoretical basis and the development of the formulas for flux vector splitting are presented. Then several one-dimensional calculations are presented of steady and unsteady transonic flows, which demonstrate the stability and accuracy of the algorithm. Finally results are shown for unsteady transonic flow over an airfoil. The pressure coefficient plots show sharp transonic shock profiles, and the Mach contour plots show smoothly varying contours.

Goorjian, Peter M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Petri net model for analysis of concurrently processed complex algorithms

This paper presents a Petri-net model suitable for analyzing the concurrent processing of computationally complex algorithms. The decomposed operations are to be processed in a multiple processor, data driven architecture. Of particular interest is the application of the model to both the description of the data/control flow of a particular algorithm, and to the general specification of the data driven architecture. A candidate architecture is also presented.

Stoughton, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Application of an upwind algorithm to the three-dimensional parabolized Navier-Stokes equations

A new computer code for the solution of the three-dimensional parabolized Navier-Stokes equations has been developed. The code employs a state-of-the-art upwind algorithm to capture strong shock waves. The algorithm is implicit, uses finite volumes, and is second-order accurate in the crossflow directions. The new code is validated through application to laminar hypersonic flows past two simple body shapes: a circular cone of 10 deg half-angle, and a generic all-body hypersonic vehicle. Cone flow solutions were computed at angles of attack of 12, 20, and 24 deg and results are in agreement with experimental data. Results are also presented for the flow past the all-body vehicle at angles of incidence of 0 and 10 deg.

Lawrence, Scott L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Instrument-induced spatial crosstalk deconvolution algorithm

An algorithm has been developed which reduces the effects of (deconvolves) instrument-induced spatial crosstalk in satellite image data by several orders of magnitude where highly precise radiometry is required. The algorithm is based upon radiance transfer ratios which are defined as the fractional bilateral exchange of energy betwen pixels A and B.

Wright, Valerie G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A Taylor weak-statement algorithm for hyperbolic conservation laws

Finite element analysis, applied to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) problem classes, presents a formal procedure for establishing the ingredients of a discrete approximation numerical solution algorithm. A classical Galerkin weak-statement formulation, formed on a Taylor series extension of the conservation law system, is developed herein that embeds a set of parameters eligible for constraint according to specification of suitable norms. The derived family of Taylor weak statements is shown to contain, as special cases, over one dozen independently derived CFD algorithms published over the past several decades for the high speed flow problem class. A theoretical analysis is completed that facilitates direct qualitative comparisons. Numerical results for definitive linear and nonlinear test problems permit direct quantitative performance comparisons.

Baker, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Simultaneous iterations algorithm for general eigenvalue problems on parallel processors

The method of simultaneous iteration with shift is extended to extraction of m-eigenpairs of a general eigenvalue problem of large order n in a parallel processing environment. The algorithm combines the power method and the Jacobi technique, and reduces to performing four basic operations. Parallel implementation of the algorithm is discussed in detail. The analysis accounts for computation and communication costs, and utilizes a parallel processing architecture of the ensemble type. Expressions for the computational efficiency and speedup are defined as a function of the problem and hardware parameters. Selected representative problems exhibit efficiencies ranging from 60 to 98 percent.

Utku, S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Pitch-Learning Algorithm For Speech Encoders

Adaptive algorithm detects and corrects errors in sequence of estimates of pitch period of speech. Algorithm operates in conjunction with techniques used to estimate pitch period. Used in such parametric and hybrid speech coders as linear predictive coders and adaptive predictive coders.

Bhaskar, B. R. Udaya↗
NASA NTRS1987

Strategies for concurrent processing of complex algorithms in data driven architectures

The results of ongoing research directed at developing a graph theoretical model for describing data and control flow associated with the execution of large grained algorithms in a spatial distributed computer environment is presented. This model is identified by the acronym ATAMM (Algorithm/Architecture Mapping Model). The purpose of such a model is to provide a basis for establishing rules for relating an algorithm to its execution in a multiprocessor environment. Specifications derived from the model lead directly to the description of a data flow architecture which is a consequence of the inherent behavior of the data and control flow described by the model. The purpose of the ATAMM based architecture is to optimize computational concurrency in the multiprocessor environment and to provide an analytical basis for performance evaluation. The ATAMM model and architecture specifications are demonstrated on a prototype system for concept validation.

Stoughton, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A modern control theory based algorithm for control of the NASA/JPL 70-meter antenna axis servos

A digital computer-based state variable controller was designed and applied to the 70-m antenna axis servos. The general equations and structure of the algorithm and provisions for alternate position error feedback modes to accommodate intertarget slew, encoder referenced tracking, and precision tracking modes are descibed. Development of the discrete time domain control model and computation of estimator and control gain parameters based on closed loop pole placement criteria are discussed. The new algorithm was successfully implemented and tested in the 70-m antenna at Deep Space Network station 63 in Spain.

Hill, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Comparing barrier algorithms

A barrier is a method for synchronizing a large number of concurrent computer processes. After considering some basic synchronization mechanisms, a collection of barrier algorithms with either linear or logarithmic depth are presented. A graphical model is described that profiles the execution of the barriers and other parallel programming constructs. This model shows how the interaction between the barrier algorithms and the work that they synchronize can impact their performance. One result is that logarithmic tree structured barriers show good performance when synchronizing fixed length work, while linear self-scheduled barriers show better performance when synchronizing fixed length work with an imbedded critical section. The linear barriers are better able to exploit the process skew associated with critical sections. Timing experiments, performed on an eighteen processor Flex/32 shared memory multiprocessor, that support these conclusions are detailed.

Arenstorf, Norbert S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Integration of symbolic and algorithmic hardware and software for the automation of space station subsystems

Traditional expert systems, such as diagnostic and training systems, interact with users only through a keyboard and screen, and are usually symbolic in nature. Expert systems that require access to data bases, complex simulations and real-time instrumentation have both symbolic as well as algorithmic computing needs. These needs could both be met using a general purpose workstation running both symbolic and algorithmic code, or separate, specialized computers networked together. The latter approach was chosen to implement TEXSYS, the thermal expert system, developed by NASA Ames Research Center in conjunction with Johnson Space Center to demonstrate the ability of an expert system to autonomously monitor the thermal control system of the space station. TEXSYS has been implemented on a Symbolics workstation, and will be linked to a microVAX computer that will control a thermal test bed. This paper will explore the integration options, and present several possible solutions.

Gregg, Hugh↗
NASA NTRS1987

Numerical arc segmentation algorithm for a radio conference-NASARC (version 2.0) technical manual

The information contained in the NASARC (Version 2.0) Technical Manual (NASA TM-100160) and NASARC (Version 2.0) User's Manual (NASA TM-100161) relates to the state of NASARC software development through October 16, 1987. The Technical Manual describes the Numerical Arc Segmentation Algorithm for a Radio Conference (NASARC) concept and the algorithms used to implement the concept. The User's Manual provides information on computer system considerations, installation instructions, description of input files, and program operating instructions. Significant revisions have been incorporated in the Version 2.0 software. These revisions have enhanced the modeling capabilities of the NASARC procedure while greatly reducing the computer run time and memory requirements. Array dimensions within the software have been structured to fit within the currently available 6-megabyte memory capacity of the International Frequency Registration Board (IFRB) computer facility. A piecewise approach to predetermined arc generation in NASARC (Version 2.0) allows worldwide scenarios to be accommodated within these memory constraints while at the same time effecting an overall reduction in computer run time.

Whyte, Wayne A., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Integration of symbolic and algorithmic hardware and software for the automation of space station subsystems

Expert systems that require access to data bases, complex simulations and real time instrumentation have both symbolic as well as algorithmic computing needs. These needs could both be met using a general computing workstation running both symbolic and algorithmic code, or separate, specialized computers networked together. The later approach was chosen to implement TEXSYS, the thermal expert system, developed to demonstrate the ability of an expert system to autonomously control the thermal control system of the space station. TEXSYS has been implemented on a Symbolics workstation, and will be linked to a microVAX computer that will control a thermal test bed. Integration options are explored and several possible solutions are presented.

Gregg, Hugh↗