90,868 research outputs found
Astrophysical Supercomputing with GPUs: Critical Decisions for Early Adopters
General purpose computing on graphics processing units (GPGPU) is
dramatically changing the landscape of high performance computing in astronomy.
In this paper, we identify and investigate several key decision areas, with a
goal of simplyfing the early adoption of GPGPU in astronomy. We consider the
merits of OpenCL as an open standard in order to reduce risks associated with
coding in a native, vendor-specific programming environment, and present a GPU
programming philosophy based on using brute force solutions. We assert that
effective use of new GPU-based supercomputing facilities will require a change
in approach from astronomers. This will likely include improved programming
training, an increased need for software development best-practice through the
use of profiling and related optimisation tools, and a greater reliance on
third-party code libraries. As with any new technology, those willing to take
the risks, and make the investment of time and effort to become early adopters
of GPGPU in astronomy, stand to reap great benefits.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in PAS
Rhythmic Representations: Learning Periodic Patterns for Scalable Place Recognition at a Sub-Linear Storage Cost
Robotic and animal mapping systems share many challenges and characteristics:
they must function in a wide variety of environmental conditions, enable the
robot or animal to navigate effectively to find food or shelter, and be
computationally tractable from both a speed and storage perspective. With
regards to map storage, the mammalian brain appears to take a diametrically
opposed approach to all current robotic mapping systems. Where robotic mapping
systems attempt to solve the data association problem to minimise
representational aliasing, neurons in the brain intentionally break data
association by encoding large (potentially unlimited) numbers of places with a
single neuron. In this paper, we propose a novel method based on supervised
learning techniques that seeks out regularly repeating visual patterns in the
environment with mutually complementary co-prime frequencies, and an encoding
scheme that enables storage requirements to grow sub-linearly with the size of
the environment being mapped. To improve robustness in challenging real-world
environments while maintaining storage growth sub-linearity, we incorporate
both multi-exemplar learning and data augmentation techniques. Using large
benchmark robotic mapping datasets, we demonstrate the combined system
achieving high-performance place recognition with sub-linear storage
requirements, and characterize the performance-storage growth trade-off curve.
The work serves as the first robotic mapping system with sub-linear storage
scaling properties, as well as the first large-scale demonstration in
real-world environments of one of the proposed memory benefits of these
neurons.Comment: Pre-print of article that will appear in the IEEE Robotics and
Automation Letter
Two- and Three-dimensional High Performance, Patterned Overlay Multi-chip Module Technology
A two- and three-dimensional multi-chip module technology was developed in response to the continuum in demand for increased performance in electronic systems, as well as the desire to reduce the size, weight, and power of space systems. Though developed to satisfy the needs of military programs, such as the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization, the technology, referred to as High Density Interconnect, can also be advantageously exploited for a wide variety of commercial applications, ranging from computer workstations to instrumentation and microwave telecommunications. The robustness of the technology, as well as its high performance, make this generality in application possible. More encouraging is the possibility of this technology for achieving low cost through high volume usage
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