8,696 research outputs found
Coupled Vlasov and two-fluid codes on GPUs
We present a way to combine Vlasov and two-fluid codes for the simulation of
a collisionless plasma in large domains while keeping full information of the
velocity distribution in localized areas of interest. This is made possible by
solving the full Vlasov equation in one region while the remaining area is
treated by a 5-moment two-fluid code. In such a treatment, the main challenge
of coupling kinetic and fluid descriptions is the interchange of physically
correct boundary conditions between the different plasma models. In contrast to
other treatments, we do not rely on any specific form of the distribution
function, e.g. a Maxwellian type. Instead, we combine an extrapolation of the
distribution function and a correction of the moments based on the fluid data.
Thus, throughout the simulation both codes provide the necessary boundary
conditions for each other. A speed-up factor of around 20 is achieved by using
GPUs for the computationally expensive solution of the Vlasov equation and an
overall factor of at least 60 using the coupling strategy combined with the GPU
computation. The coupled codes were then tested on the GEM reconnection
challenge
Efficient and Robust Signal Detection Algorithms for the Communication Applications
Signal detection and estimation has been prevalent in signal processing and communications for many years. The relevant studies deal with the processing of information-bearing signals for the purpose of information extraction. Nevertheless, new robust and efficient signal detection and estimation techniques are still in demand since there emerge more and more practical applications which rely on them. In this dissertation work, we proposed several novel signal detection schemes for wireless communications applications, such as source localization algorithm, spectrum sensing method, and normality test. The associated theories and practice in robustness, computational complexity, and overall system performance evaluation are also provided
The High Energy Telescope on EXIST
The Energetic X-ray Imaging Survey Telescope (EXIST) is a proposed next
generation multi-wavelength survey mission. The primary instrument is a High
Energy telescope (HET) that conducts the deepest survey for Gamma-ray Bursts
(GRBs), obscured-accreting and dormant Supermassive Black Holes and Transients
of all varieties for immediate followup studies by the two secondary
instruments: a Soft X-ray Imager (SXI) and an Optical/Infrared Telescope (IRT).
EXIST will explore the early Universe using high redshift GRBs as cosmic probes
and survey black holes on all scales. The HET is a coded aperture telescope
employing a large array of imaging CZT detectors (4.5 m^2, 0.6 mm pixel) and a
hybrid Tungsten mask. We review the current HET concept which follows an
intensive design revision by the HET imaging working group and the recent
engineering studies in the Instrument and Mission Design Lab at the Goddard
Space Flight Center. The HET will locate GRBs and transients quickly (<10-30
sec) and accurately (< 20") for rapid (< 1-3 min) onboard followup soft X-ray
and optical/IR (0.3-2.2 micron) imaging and spectroscopy. The broad energy band
(5-600 keV) and the wide field of view (~90 deg x 70 deg at 10% coding
fraction) are optimal for capturing GRBs, obscured AGNs and rare transients.
The continuous scan of the entire sky every 3 hours will establish a
finely-sampled long-term history of many X-ray sources, opening up new
possibilities for variability studies.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables, SPIE conference proceedings (UV,
X-ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XVI, 7435-9
A statistical approach to the inverse problem in magnetoencephalography
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is an imaging technique used to measure the
magnetic field outside the human head produced by the electrical activity
inside the brain. The MEG inverse problem, identifying the location of the
electrical sources from the magnetic signal measurements, is ill-posed, that
is, there are an infinite number of mathematically correct solutions. Common
source localization methods assume the source does not vary with time and do
not provide estimates of the variability of the fitted model. Here, we
reformulate the MEG inverse problem by considering time-varying locations for
the sources and their electrical moments and we model their time evolution
using a state space model. Based on our predictive model, we investigate the
inverse problem by finding the posterior source distribution given the multiple
channels of observations at each time rather than fitting fixed source
parameters. Our new model is more realistic than common models and allows us to
estimate the variation of the strength, orientation and position. We propose
two new Monte Carlo methods based on sequential importance sampling. Unlike the
usual MCMC sampling scheme, our new methods work in this situation without
needing to tune a high-dimensional transition kernel which has a very high
cost. The dimensionality of the unknown parameters is extremely large and the
size of the data is even larger. We use Parallel Virtual Machine (PVM) to speed
up the computation.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/14-AOAS716 the Annals of
Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of
Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org
Dynamic filtering of static dipoles in magnetoencephalography
We consider the problem of estimating neural activity from measurements
of the magnetic fields recorded by magnetoencephalography. We exploit
the temporal structure of the problem and model the neural current as a
collection of evolving current dipoles, which appear and disappear, but whose
locations are constant throughout their lifetime. This fully reflects the physiological
interpretation of the model.
In order to conduct inference under this proposed model, it was necessary
to develop an algorithm based around state-of-the-art sequential Monte
Carlo methods employing carefully designed importance distributions. Previous
work employed a bootstrap filter and an artificial dynamic structure
where dipoles performed a random walk in space, yielding nonphysical artefacts
in the reconstructions; such artefacts are not observed when using the
proposed model. The algorithm is validated with simulated data, in which
it provided an average localisation error which is approximately half that of
the bootstrap filter. An application to complex real data derived from a somatosensory
experiment is presented. Assessment of model fit via marginal
likelihood showed a clear preference for the proposed model and the associated
reconstructions show better localisation
Multiphysics simulations of collisionless plasmas
Collisionless plasmas, mostly present in astrophysical and space
environments, often require a kinetic treatment as given by the Vlasov
equation. Unfortunately, the six-dimensional Vlasov equation can only be solved
on very small parts of the considered spatial domain. However, in some cases,
e.g. magnetic reconnection, it is sufficient to solve the Vlasov equation in a
localized domain and solve the remaining domain by appropriate fluid models. In
this paper, we describe a hierarchical treatment of collisionless plasmas in
the following way. On the finest level of description, the Vlasov equation is
solved both for ions and electrons. The next courser description treats
electrons with a 10-moment fluid model incorporating a simplified treatment of
Landau damping. At the boundary between the electron kinetic and fluid region,
the central question is how the fluid moments influence the electron
distribution function. On the next coarser level of description the ions are
treated by an 10-moment fluid model as well. It may turn out that in some
spatial regions far away from the reconnection zone the temperature tensor in
the 10-moment description is nearly isotopic. In this case it is even possible
to switch to a 5-moment description. This change can be done separately for
ions and electrons. To test this multiphysics approach, we apply this full
physics-adaptive simulations to the Geospace Environmental Modeling (GEM)
challenge of magnetic reconnection.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure
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