Feasibility study for the implementation of NASTRAN on the ILLIAC 4 parallel processor

The ILLIAC IV, a fourth generation multiprocessor using parallel processing hardware concepts, is operational at Moffett Field, California. Its capability to excel at matrix manipulation, makes the ILLIAC well suited for performing structural analyses using the finite element displacement method. The feasibility of modifying the NASTRAN (NASA structural analysis) computer program to make effective use of the ILLIAC IV was investigated. The characteristics are summarized of the ILLIAC and the ARPANET, a telecommunications network which spans the continent making the ILLIAC accessible to nearly all major industrial centers in the United States. Two distinct approaches are studied: retaining NASTRAN as it now operates on many of the host computers of the ARPANET to process the input and output while using the ILLIAC only for the major computational tasks, and installing NASTRAN to operate entirely in the ILLIAC environment. Though both alternatives offer similar and significant increases in computational speed over modern third generation processors, the full installation of NASTRAN on the ILLIAC is recommended. Specifications are presented for performing that task with manpower estimates and schedules to correspond

The impact of fourth generation computers on NASTRAN

The impact of 'fourth generation' computers (STAR 100 or ILLIAC 4) on NASTRAN is considered. The desired characteristics of large programs designed for execution on 4G machines are described

Remote access of the ILLIAC 4

The ILLIAC-4 hardware is described. The Illiac system, the Advanced Research Projects Agency computer network, and IMLAC PDS-1 are included. The space shuttle flow simulation is demonstrated to show the feasibility of using an advanced computer from a remote location

Implementation of ILLIAC 4 algorithms for multispectral image interpretation

Research has focused on the design and partial implementation of a comprehensive ILLIAC software system for computer-assisted interpretation of multispectral earth resources data such as that now collected by the Earth Resources Technology Satellite. Research suggests generally that the ILLIAC 4 should be as much as two orders of magnitude more cost effective than serial processing computers for digital interpretation of ERTS imagery via multivariate statistical classification techniques. The potential of the ARPA Network as a mechanism for interfacing geographically-dispersed users to an ILLIAC 4 image processing facility is discussed

Comparisons of some large scientific computers

In 1975, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) began studies to assess the technical and economic feasibility of developing a computer having sustained computational speed of one billion floating point operations per second and a working memory of at least 240 million words. Such a powerful computer would allow computational aerodynamics to play a major role in aeronautical design and advanced fluid dynamics research. Based on favorable results from these studies, NASA proceeded with developmental plans. The computer was named the Numerical Aerodynamic Simulator (NAS). To help insure that the estimated cost, schedule, and technical scope were realistic, a brief study was made of past large scientific computers. Large discrepancies between inception and operation in scope, cost, or schedule were studied so that they could be minimized with NASA's proposed new compter. The main computers studied were the ILLIAC IV, STAR 100, Parallel Element Processor Ensemble (PEPE), and Shuttle Mission Simulator (SMS) computer. Comparison data on memory and speed were also obtained on the IBM 650, 704, 7090, 360-50, 360-67, 360-91, and 370-195; the CDC 6400, 6600, 7600, CYBER 203, and CYBER 205; CRAY 1; and the Advanced Scientific Computer (ASC). A few lessons learned conclude the report

Simulation of turbulent transonic separated flow over an airfoil

A code developed for simulating high Reynolds number transonic flow fields of arbitrary configuration is described. This code, in conjunction with laboratory experiments, is used to devise and test turbulence transport models which may be suitable in the prediction of such flow fields, with particular emphasis on regions of flow separation. The solutions describe the flow field, including both the shock-induced and trailing-edge separation regions, in sufficient detail to provide the profile and friction drag

Implementation and evaluation of ILLIAC 4 algorithms for multispectral image processing

Data concerning a multidisciplinary and multi-organizational effort to implement multispectral data analysis algorithms on a revolutionary computer, the Illiac 4, are reported. The effectiveness and efficiency of implementing the digital multispectral data analysis techniques for producing useful land use classifications from satellite collected data were demonstrated

Large eddy simulation of turbulent channel flow: ILLIAC 4 calculation

The three-dimensional time dependent equations of motion were numerically integrated for fully-developed turbulent channel flow. A large scale flow field was obtained directly from the solution of these equations, and small scale field motions were simulated through an eddy viscosity model. The calculations were carried out on the ILLIAC 4 computer. The computed flow patterns show that the wall layer consists of coherent structures of low speed and high speed streaks alternating in the spanwise direction. These structures were absent in the regions away from the wall. Hot spots, small localized regions of very large turbulent shear stress, were frequently observed. The profiles of the pressure velocity-gradient correlations show a significant transfer of energy from the normal to the spanwise component of turbulent kinetic energy in the immediate neighborhood of the wall ('the splatting effect')

Computer systems: What the future holds

Developement of computer architecture is discussed in terms of the proliferation of the microprocessor, the utility of the medium-scale computer, and the sheer computational power of the large-scale machine. Changes in new applications brought about because of ever lowering costs, smaller sizes, and faster switching times are included