RTI International - News Release - 2.17.2006
New Technology Enhances Computer Models, Improves Laboratory Predictions
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| Dan Stevenson, RTI researcher, uses optical fibers to improve inter-computer communications speed without software |
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- Scientists at RTI International are combining two relatively new communication technologies as part of a research effort to allow high-speed transmission of data between computer hardware systems without the need for a software program interface.
Scientists say the new technology simplifies the way computers communicate with one another, eliminating the current need for translation and temporary file storage as data is transmitted from computer to computer through software applications. Transmitting data through hardware rather than software increases the speed and capacity of data transmission.
Luna Innovations serves as RTI's small business technology partner on the six-month project. The project, to be completed in March, is the first phase of a program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of its Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Program.
"The explosive growth of scientific data has rapidly overwhelmed current technology's ability to manage, move, store and analyze data," said Ilia Baldine, Ph.D., RTI's principal scientist for the project. "Current computer models lack the bandwidth and performance required to improve applications. This new technology will change all that and allow for the next generation of supercomputing discoveries."
Scientists say their revolutionary approach could enable a new generation of supercomputers that assist researchers developing models for everything from climate forecasting and automotive safety modeling to new drug discovery and epidemiological modeling simulations.
The technology enables applications to establish connections over optical fiber within a few microseconds by joining two emerging technologies -- remote direct memory access and optical burst switching. When combined, these technologies improve performance without the expense of network routers and switches and without requiring buffering during data transfer.
The enhanced capabilities will allow for the creation of more sophisticated simulation models and improve the accuracy of the resulting information. Computer models will be able to take into account more variables and include more detailed speculations than ever before, providing more accurate simulations at a much faster speed.
"This technology will remove barriers to computational science not being addressed by the incremental infrastructure projects involving data grids and network control planes," said Dan Stevenson, director of RTI's Center for Advanced Network Research. "By creating better science, we will have better answers, and with better answers, policy makers will have more accurate information on which to base decisions.