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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON: Southampton academics 'fly' supercomputerDec 02, 2008 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- A new paradigm for flight simulation is being demonstrated by a team of engineers from the University of Southampton this week in Orlando, Florida. They will be 'flying' a supercomputer at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference 2008. This groundbreaking, proof-of-concept demonstration represents a leap forward in the fidelity that flight simulators are able to achieve, providing great benefits for flight training and safety. Dr Kenji Takeda, Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering Sciences, and co-director of the Microsoft Institute for High Performance Computing based at the University, explains: "The ability to easily link a human-in-the-loop flight simulator with a supercomputer means that we are no longer limited by what a single computer can calculate to solve the mathematics of flight. Previously we had to use simplified models to calculate the physics in real-time. Now we can exploit thousands of processors to use much higher fidelity models to more closely recreate the world experienced by pilots." The conference demonstration involves modelling the aerodynamic interaction between a helicopter and a moving ship, a challenging situation facing Navy pilots around the world every day when trying to land. It is the first time that computational fluid dynamics has been used to compute the effect of the helicopter on the ship's airwake, and vice-versa, while being piloted in real-time. Dr Takeda adds: "We are only limited by our imaginations in what we can recreate in a simulator now. This represents a step change in human-in-the-loop vehicle simulation technology, enabling us to use much more realistic mathematical models than ever before." The concept is described in the paper 'Real-time computational fluid dynamics for flight simulation' which will be presented at at the conference. The demonstration uses Microsoft ESP and Windows High Performance Computing Server 2008, and was developed with assistance from Silicon Graphics Inc. Visitors can fly the demonstrator on the Microsoft exhibition stand #3718 at I/ITSEC 2008 at the Orange County Convention Centre, Orlando, Florida from 1-4 December 2008. Notes for editors 1. The University of Southampton's School of Engineering Sciences offers expertise in engineering disciplines that underpin every aspect of 21st century life. Evolving from its traditional engineering roots, the School continues to expand into new, exciting research areas. From orthopaedic implant modelling and modern fuel cell technologies, to enhancing satellite broadcast technology and improving the aerodynamics of Formula One racing cars and hydrodynamics of America's Cup yachts, the School is always at the leading edge of engineering research. It offers undergraduate courses in Aeronautics & Astronautics, Mechanical Engineering and Ship Science, and postgraduate courses in a variety of related subjects. www.ses.soton.ac.uk 2. The University of Southampton is a leading UK teaching and research institution with a global reputation for leading-edge research and scholarship across a wide range of subjects in engineering, science, social sciences, health and humanities. With over 22,000 students, around 5000 staff, and an annual turnover of over GBP350 million, the University of Southampton is acknowledged as one of the country's top institutions for engineering, computer science and medicine. We combine academic excellence with an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to research, supporting a culture that engages and challenges students and staff in their pursuit of learning. The University is also home to a number of world-leading research centres, including the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, the Optoelectronics Research Centre, the Centre for the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, the Mountbatten Centre for International Studies and the Southampton Statistical Sciences Research Institute CONTACT: Sue Wilson, Communications, University of Southampton Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 5457 e-mail: [email protected] M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected]. |