All issues

We consider a model of stacked long Josephson junctions (LJJ), which consists of alternating superconducting and dielectric layers. The model takes into account the inductive and capacitive coupling between the neighbor junctions. The model is described by a system of nonlinear partial differential equations with respect to the phase differences and the voltage of LJJ, with appropriate initial and boundary conditions. The numerical solution of this system of equations is based on the use of standard three-point finite-difference formulae for discrete approximations in the space coordinate, and the applying the four-step Runge-Kutta method for solving the Cauchy problem obtained. Designed parallel algorithm is implemented by means of the MPI technology (Message Passing Interface). In the paper, the mathematical formulation of the problem is given, numerical scheme and a method of calculation of the current-voltage characteristics of the LJJ system are described. Two variants of parallel implementation are presented. The influence of inductive and capacitive coupling between junctions on the structure of the current-voltage characteristics is demonstrated. The results of methodical calculations with various parameters of length and number of Josephson junctions in the LJJ stack depending on the number of parallel computing nodes, are presented. The calculations have been performed on multiprocessor clusters HybriLIT and CICC of Multi-Functional Information and Computing Complex (Laboratory of Information Technologies, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna). The numerical results are discussed from the viewpoint of the effectiveness of presented approaches of the LJJ system numerical simulation in parallel. It has been shown that one of parallel algorithms provides the 9 times speedup of calculations.

The work submits new release of the FlowVision software designed for automation of engineering calculations in computational fluid dynamics: FlowVision 3.09.05. The FlowVision software is used for solving different industrial problems. Its popularity is based on the capability to solve complex non-tradition problems involving different physical processes. The paradigm of complete automation of labor-intensive and time-taking processes like grid generation makes FlowVision attractive for many engineers. FlowVision is completely developer-independent software. It includes an advanced graphical interface, the system for specifying a computational project as well as the system for flow visualization on planes, on curvilinear surfaces and in volume by means of different methods: plots, color contours, iso-lines, iso-surfaces, vector fields. Besides that, FlowVision provides tools for calculation of integral characteristics on surfaces and in volumetric regions.

The software is based on the finite-volume approach to approximation of the partial differential equations describing fluid motion and accompanying physical processes. It provides explicit and implicit methods for time integration of these equations. The software includes automated generator of unstructured grid with capability of its local dynamic adaptation. The solver involves two-level parallelism which allows calculations on computers with distributed and shared memory (coexisting in the same hardware). FlowVision incorporates a wide spectrum of physical models: different turbulence models, models for mass transfer accounting for chemical reactions and radioactive decay, several combustion models, a dispersed phase model, an electro-hydrodynamic model, an original VOF model for tracking moving interfaces. It should be noted that turbulence can be simulated within URANS, LES, and ILES approaches. FlowVision simulates fluid motion with velocities corresponding to all possible flow regimes: from incompressible to hypersonic. This is achieved by using an original all-speed velocity-pressure split algorithm for integration of the Navier-Stokes equations.

FlowVision enables solving multi-physic problems with use of different modeling tools. For instance, one can simulate multi-phase flows with use of the VOF method, flows past bodies moving across a stationary grid (within Euler approach), flows in rotary machines with use of the technology of sliding grid. Besides that, the software solves fluid-structure interaction problems using the technology of two-way coupling of FlowVision with finite-element codes. Two examples of solving challenging problems in the FlowVision software are demonstrated in the given article. The first one is splashdown of a spacecraft after deceleration by means of jet engines. This problem is characterized by presence of moving bodies and contact surface between the air and the water in the computational domain. The supersonic jets interact with the air-water interphase. The second problem is simulation of the work of a human heart with artificial and natural valves designed on the basis of tomographic investigations with use of a finite-element model of the heart. This problem is characterized by two-way coupling between the “liquid” computational domain and the finite-element model of the hart muscles.

At present modern quantum technologies can get a new twist of development, which will certainly give an opportunity to obtain solutions for numerous problems that previously could not be solved in the framework of “traditional” paradigms and computational models. All mankind stands at the threshold of the so-called “second quantum revolution”, and its short-term and long-term consequences will affect virtually all spheres of life of a global society. Such directions and branches of science and technology as materials science, nanotechnology, pharmacology and biochemistry in general, modeling of chaotic dynamic processes (nuclear explosions, turbulent flows, weather and long-term climatic phenomena), etc. will be directly developed, as well as the solution of any problems, which reduce to the multiplication of matrices of large dimensions (in particular, the modeling of quantum systems). However, along with extraordinary opportunities, quantum technologies carry with them certain risks and threats, in particular, the scrapping of all information systems based on modern achievements in cryptography, which will entail almost complete destruction of secrecy, the global financial crisis due to the destruction of the banking sector and compromise of all communication channels. Even in spite of the fact that methods of so-called “post-quantum” cryptography are already being developed today, some risks still need to be realized, since not all long-term consequences can be calculated. At the same time, one should be prepared to all of the above, including by training specialists working in the field of quantum technologies and understanding all their aspects, new opportunities, risks and threats. In this connection, this article briefly describes the current state of quantum technologies, namely, quantum sensorics, information transfer using quantum protocols, a universal quantum computer (hardware), and quantum computations based on quantum algorithms (software). For all of the above, forecasts are given for the development of the impact on various areas of human civilization.

This article presents the results of an analytical and computer study of the collective dynamic properties of a chain of self-oscillating systems (conditionally — oscillators). It is assumed that the couplings of individual elements of the chain are non-reciprocal, unidirectional. More precisely, it is assumed that each element of the chain is under the influence of the previous one, while the reverse reaction is absent (physically insignificant). This is the main feature of the chain. This system can be interpreted as an active discrete medium with unidirectional transfer, in particular, the transfer of a matter. Such chains can represent mathematical models of real systems having a lattice structure that occur in various fields of natural science and technology: physics, chemistry, biology, radio engineering, economics, etc. They can also represent models of technological and computational processes. Nonlinear self-oscillating systems (conditionally, oscillators) with a wide “spectrum” of potentially possible individual self-oscillations, from periodic to chaotic, were chosen as the “elements” of the lattice. This allows one to explore various dynamic modes of the chain from regular to chaotic, changing the parameters of the elements and not changing the nature of the elements themselves. The joint application of qualitative methods of the theory of dynamical systems and qualitative-numerical methods allows one to obtain a clear picture of all possible dynamic regimes of the chain. The conditions for the existence and stability of spatially-homogeneous dynamic regimes (deterministic and chaotic) of the chain are studied. The analytical results are illustrated by a numerical experiment. The dynamical regimes of the chain are studied under perturbations of parameters at its boundary. The possibility of controlling the dynamic regimes of the chain by turning on the necessary perturbation at the boundary is shown. Various cases of the dynamics of chains comprised of inhomogeneous (different in their parameters) elements are considered. The global chaotic synchronization (of all oscillators in the chain) is studied analytically and numerically.

Difference of software development for parallel computing technology from sequential programming is dicussed. Arguements for introduction of new phases into technology of software engineering are given. These phases are: decomposition of algorithms, assignment of jobs to performers, conducting and mapping of logical to physical performers. Issues of performance evaluation of algorithms are briefly discussed. Decomposition of algorithms and programs into parts that can be executed in parallel is dicussed.

Selection and correct applying of the geosensor — the instrument of mineral geothermobarometry is challenging because of the wide variety of existing geosensors on the one hand and the availability of specific requirements for their use on the other. In this paper, organization of the geosensors within the computer system called interactive registry was proposed for reducing the labor intensity of the geosensors usage and providing information support for them. The article provides a formal description of the thermodynamic geosensor, as a function of the minerals composition and independent parameters, as well as the basic steps of pressure and temperature estimation which are common for all geosensors: conversion to the formula units, calculation of the additional parameters and the calculation of the required values. Existing collections of geosensors made as standalone applications, or as spreadsheets was examined for advantages and disadvantages of these approaches. Additional information necessary to use the geosensor was described: paragenesis, accuracy and range of parameter values, reference and others. Implementation of the geosensors registry as the webbased application which uses wiki technology was proposed. Usage of the wiki technology allows to effectively organize not so well formalized additional information about the geosensor and it’s algorithm which had written in a programming language into a single information system. For information organization links, namespaces and wiki markup was used. The article discusses the implementation of the applications on the top of DokuWiki system with specially designed RESTful server, allowing users to apply the geosensors from the registry to their own data. Programming language R uses as a geosensors description language. RServe server uses for calculations. The unittest for each geosensor allows to check the correctness of it’s implementation. The user interface of the application was developed as DokuWiki plug-in. The example of usage was given. In the article conclusion, the questions of the application security, performance and scaling was discussed.

The work is dedicated to investigation of possibility to increase the efficiency of solving external aerodynamic problems. Methodical questions of using locally-adaptive grids and wall functions for numerical simulation of turbulent flows past flying vehicles are studied. Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations are integrated. The equations are closed by standard $k–\varepsilon$ turbulence model. Subsonic turbulent flow of perfect compressible viscous gas past airfoil RAE 2822 is considered. Calculations are performed in CFD software FlowVision. The efficiency of using the technology of smoothing diffusion fluxes and the Bradshaw formula for turbulent viscosity is analyzed. These techniques are regarded as means of increasing the accuracy of solving aerodynamic problems on locally-adaptive grids. The obtained results show that using the technology of smoothing diffusion fluxes essentially decreases the discrepancy between computed and experimental values of the drag coefficient. In addition, the distribution of the skin friction coefficient over the curvilinear surface of the airfoil becomes more regular. These results indicate that the given technology is an effective way to increase the accuracy of calculations on locally-adaptive grids. The Bradshaw formula for the dynamic coefficient of turbulent viscosity is traditionally used in the SST $k–\omega$ turbulence model. The possibility to implement it in the standard $k–\varepsilon$ turbulence model is investigated in the present article. The calculations show that this formula provides good agreement of integral aerodynamic characteristics and the distribution of the pressure coefficient over the airfoil surface with experimental data. Besides that, it essentially augments the accuracy of simulation of the flow in the boundary layer and in the wake. On the other hand, using the Bradshaw formula in the simulation of the air flow past airfoil RAE 2822 leads to under-prediction of the skin friction coefficient. For this reason, the conclusion is made that practical use of the Bradshaw formula requires its preliminary validation and calibration on reliable experimental data available for the considered flows. The results of the work as a whole show that using the technologies discussed in numerical solution of external aerodynamic problems on locally-adaptive grids together with wall functions provides the computational accuracy acceptable for quick assessment of the aerodynamic characteristics of a flying vehicle. So, one can deduce that the FlowVision software is an effective tool for preliminary design studies, for conceptual design, and for aerodynamic shape optimization.

The paper presents the results of the fundamental research directed on the theoretical study and computer simulation of peculiarities of the quasi-harmonic signal’s phase statistical distribution. The quasi-harmonic signal is known to be formed as a result of the Gaussian noise impact on the initially harmonic signal. By means of the mathematical analysis the formulas have been obtained in explicit form for the principle characteristics of this distribution, namely: for the cumulative distribution function, the probability density function, the likelihood function. As a result of the conducted computer simulation the dependencies of these functions on the phase distribution parameters have been analyzed. The paper elaborates the methods of estimating the phase distribution parameters which contain the information about the initial, undistorted signal. It has been substantiated that the task of estimating the initial value of the phase of quasi-harmonic signal can be efficiently solved by averaging the results of the sampled measurements. As for solving the task of estimating the second parameter of the phase distribution, namely — the parameter, determining the signal level respectively the noise level — a maximum likelihood technique is proposed to be applied. The graphical illustrations are presented that have been obtained by means of the computer simulation of the principle characteristics of the phase distribution under the study. The existence and uniqueness of the likelihood function’s maximum allow substantiating the possibility and the efficiency of solving the task of estimating signal’s level relative to noise level by means of the maximum likelihood technique. The elaborated method of estimating the un-noised signal’s level relative to noise, i. e. the parameter characterizing the signal’s intensity on the basis of measurements of the signal’s phase is an original and principally new technique which opens perspectives of usage of the phase measurements as a tool of the stochastic data analysis. The presented investigation is meaningful for solving the task of determining the phase and the signal’s level by means of the statistical processing of the sampled phase measurements. The proposed methods of the estimation of the phase distribution’s parameters can be used at solving various scientific and technological tasks, in particular, in such areas as radio-physics, optics, radiolocation, radio-navigation, metrology.

Correct modeling of complex dynamics of urban transportation flows requires the collection of large volumes of empirical data to specify types of the modes and their identification. At the same time, setting a large number of observation posts is expensive and technically not always feasible. All this results in insufficient factographic support for the traffic control systems as well as for urban planners with the obvious consequences for the quality of their decisions. As one of the means to provide large-scale data collection at least for the qualitative situation analysis, the wide-area video cameras are used in different situation centers. There they are analyzed by human operators who are responsible for observation and control. Some video cameras provided their videos for common access, which makes them a valuable resource for transportation studies. However, there are significant problems with getting qualitative data from such cameras, which relate to the theory and practice of image processing. This study is devoted to the practical application of certain mainstream neuro-networking technologies for the estimation of essential characteristics of actual transportation flows. The problems arising in processing these data are analyzed, and their solutions are suggested. The convolution neural networks are used for tracking, and the methods for obtaining basic parameters of transportation flows from these observations are studied. The simplified neural networks are used for the preparation of training sets for the deep learning neural network YOLOv4 which is later used for the estimation of speed and density of automobile flows.

The history of the development of CUDA technology and its fundamental limitations are discribed. The article is intended for those readers who are not familiar with graphics adapter programming features but want to evaluate the possibilities for GPU computing applications.