Computational Technology Area (CTA)- Identified Trends and Challenges

CTA Trends and Challenges (CTAs involved) ENS Electronics, Networking, and Systems/C4I 1. TC-ENS1-DoD mission requirements increasingly drive RD&E efforts to explore deployable HPC solutions, as opposed to the traditional model of HPC center with reach-back capabilities. This trend is driven by the perception that new technologies (e.g., general-purpose graphics processing units or GPGPUs), can enable new capabilities qualitatively different from those previously accessible near or within a theater of operation. The approach resolves the challenge of applying HPC technology to direct mission requirements, which has historically not been resolved in a meaningful way. The challenges posed include the research and development for hardware systems and software for mission planning, C4I (command, control, computing, communication and intelligence), situational awareness applications in support of direct mission requirements, and electronic warfare applications. (ENS) 2. TC-ENS2-Large-scale network simulation and emulation for the study of military communication systems including physical effects for voice/video/data networks, is of high interest and importance for the DoD, as such systems will form a critical component of future strategic and tactical systems. Such systems include, but are not limited to, mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs). (ENS) 3. TC-ENS3 – The growth rate of data per DoD sensor platform and the number of such platforms is increasing rapidly, resulting in processing bottlenecks at both the aggregation point for in-theater data streams and within analyst workflows. The ENS challenge is to leverage HPC technology, including the use of hardware accelerators, and techniques to accelerate C4I workflows for analysts confronting this ever-increasing volume of sensor data. (ENS) 4. TC-ENS4-An emerging shift in the design of processor technology for high-throughput, technical and high-performance computing will have a significant impact on the systems available to support DoD requirements. This shift includes hybrid multi-core and/or low-power (CPU)/many-core (GPU) architectures, and the use of other accelerators and with massive on-die parallelism. These architectures have already taken the top positions on the HPC Top 500 lists, a trend that is expected to continue. The challenges associated with this trend include system architectures, software porting, design, development and optimization, and the identification of new opportunities for the application of HPC technology for DoD mission requirements. (ENS, Cross-CTA) 5. TC-ENS5 – This task supports multi-scale modeling of electronic and photonic devices and circuits in support of RD&E activities that develop next-generation military systems containing these devices as critical components. For several decades, the modeling and design of electronic components relied upon …