145 research outputs found
Concurrent Image Processing Executive (CIPE). Volume 1: Design overview
The design and implementation of a Concurrent Image Processing Executive (CIPE), which is intended to become the support system software for a prototype high performance science analysis workstation are described. The target machine for this software is a JPL/Caltech Mark 3fp Hypercube hosted by either a MASSCOMP 5600 or a Sun-3, Sun-4 workstation; however, the design will accommodate other concurrent machines of similar architecture, i.e., local memory, multiple-instruction-multiple-data (MIMD) machines. The CIPE system provides both a multimode user interface and an applications programmer interface, and has been designed around four loosely coupled modules: user interface, host-resident executive, hypercube-resident executive, and application functions. The loose coupling between modules allows modification of a particular module without significantly affecting the other modules in the system. In order to enhance hypercube memory utilization and to allow expansion of image processing capabilities, a specialized program management method, incremental loading, was devised. To minimize data transfer between host and hypercube, a data management method which distributes, redistributes, and tracks data set information was implemented. The data management also allows data sharing among application programs. The CIPE software architecture provides a flexible environment for scientific analysis of complex remote sensing image data, such as planetary data and imaging spectrometry, utilizing state-of-the-art concurrent computation capabilities
Concurrent Image Processing Executive (CIPE)
The design and implementation of a Concurrent Image Processing Executive (CIPE), which is intended to become the support system software for a prototype high performance science analysis workstation are discussed. The target machine for this software is a JPL/Caltech Mark IIIfp Hypercube hosted by either a MASSCOMP 5600 or a Sun-3, Sun-4 workstation; however, the design will accommodate other concurrent machines of similar architecture, i.e., local memory, multiple-instruction-multiple-data (MIMD) machines. The CIPE system provides both a multimode user interface and an applications programmer interface, and has been designed around four loosely coupled modules; (1) user interface, (2) host-resident executive, (3) hypercube-resident executive, and (4) application functions. The loose coupling between modules allows modification of a particular module without significantly affecting the other modules in the system. In order to enhance hypercube memory utilization and to allow expansion of image processing capabilities, a specialized program management method, incremental loading, was devised. To minimize data transfer between host and hypercube a data management method which distributes, redistributes, and tracks data set information was implemented
Concurrent Image Processing Executive (CIPE). Volume 3: User's guide
CIPE (the Concurrent Image Processing Executive) is both an executive which organizes the parameter inputs for hypercube applications and an environment which provides temporary data workspace and simple real-time function definition facilities for image analysis. CIPE provides two types of user interface. The Command Line Interface (CLI) provides a simple command-driven environment allowing interactive function definition and evaluation of algebraic expressions. The menu interface employs a hierarchical screen-oriented menu system where the user is led through a menu tree to any specific application and then given a formatted panel screen for parameter entry. How to initialize the system through the setup function, how to read data into CIPE symbols, how to manipulate and display data through the use of executive functions, and how to run an application in either user interface mode, are described
Long Term Preservation of Data Analysis Software at the NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive
The NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive (IRSA) curates both data and analysis tools from NASA's infrared missions. As part of our primary goal, we provide long term access to mission-specific software from projects such as IRAS and Spitzer. We will review the efforts by IRSA (and within the greater IPAC before that) to keep the IRAS and Spitzer software tools current and available. Data analysis tools are a vital part of the Spitzer Heritage Archive. The IRAS tools HIRES and SCANPI have been in continual use since the 1980's. Scanpi offers a factor of 2 to 5 gain in sensitivity over the IRAS Point Source Catalog by performing 1D scan averaging of raw survey data at specified arbitrary position. In 2007 SCANPI was completely modernized, with major code revisions. HIRES returns IRAS survey images with higher resolution than the IRAS Sky Survey Atlas (ISSA). We are currently undertaking a modest revision to the tool to ensure continued reliability. In the next two years, the US Planck Data Center plans to adapt both tools for use with Planck data, and deliver them to IRSA for long term curation
How Will Astronomy Archives Survive The Data Tsunami?
The field of astronomy is starting to generate more data than can be managed,
served and processed by current techniques. This paper has outlined practices
for developing next-generation tools and techniques for surviving this data
tsunami, including rigorous evaluation of new technologies, partnerships
between astronomers and computer scientists, and training of scientists in
high-end software engineering engineering skills.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures; ACM Queue. Vol 9, Number 10, October 2011
(http://queue.acm.org/detail.cfm?id=2047483
VLASS tidal disruption events with optical flares I: the sample and a comparison to optically-selected TDEs
In this work, we use the Jansky VLA Sky Survey (VLASS) to compile the first
sample of six radio-selected tidal disruption events (TDEs) with transient
optical counterparts. While we still lack the statistics to do detailed
population studies of radio-selected TDEs, we use these events to suggest
trends in host galaxy and optical light curve properties that may correlate
with the presence of radio emission, and hence can inform optically-selected
TDE radio follow-up campaigns. We find that radio-selected TDEs tend to have
faint and cool optical flares, as well as host galaxies with low SMBH masses.
Our radio-selected TDEs also tend to have more energetic, larger radio emitting
regions than radio-detected, optically-selected TDEs. We consider possible
explanations for these trends, including by invoking super-Eddington accretion
and enhanced circumnuclear media. Finally, we constrain the radio-emitting TDE
rate to be Gpc yr.Comment: 26 pages, 5 tables, 11 figures, submitted to Ap
Lattice results for the decay constant of heavy-light vector mesons
We compute the leptonic decay constants of heavy-light vector mesons in the
quenched approximation. The reliability of lattice computations for heavy
quarks is checked by comparing the ratio of vector to pseudoscalar decay
constant with the prediction of Heavy Quark Effective Theory in the limit of
infinitely heavy quark mass. Good agreement is found. We then calculate the
decay constant ratio for B mesons: .
We also quote quenched MeV.Comment: 11 pages, 3 postscript figs., revtex; two references adde
Astrophysical implications of hypothetical stable TeV-scale black holes
We analyze macroscopic effects of TeV-scale black holes, such as could
possibly be produced at the LHC, in what is regarded as an extremely
hypothetical scenario in which they are stable and, if trapped inside Earth,
begin to accrete matter. We examine a wide variety of TeV-scale gravity
scenarios, basing the resulting accretion models on first-principles, basic,
and well-tested physical laws. These scenarios fall into two classes, depending
on whether accretion could have any macroscopic effect on the Earth at times
shorter than the Sun's natural lifetime. We argue that cases with such effect
at shorter times than the solar lifetime are ruled out, since in these
scenarios black holes produced by cosmic rays impinging on much denser white
dwarfs and neutron stars would then catalyze their decay on timescales
incompatible with their known lifetimes. We also comment on relevant lifetimes
for astronomical objects that capture primordial black holes. In short, this
study finds no basis for concerns that TeV-scale black holes from the LHC could
pose a risk to Earth on time scales shorter than the Earth's natural lifetime.
Indeed, conservative arguments based on detailed calculations and the
best-available scientific knowledge, including solid astronomical data,
conclude, from multiple perspectives, that there is no risk of any significance
whatsoever from such black holes.Comment: Version2: Minor corrections/fixed typos; updated reference
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