Developing Software for High-Order Simulation of Transient Compressible Flow Phenomena: Application to Design of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

在过去的几十年里，计算机仿真在无数复杂系统的设计中发挥着越来越重要的作用。特别是，计算机仿真在飞机的气动和结构设计中发挥了关键作用。然而，越来越明显的是，当前用于空气动力学设计的软件包不适合于此目的。需要更新的软件，能够有效地利用当前和未来的计算平台，对复杂飞机外形上的气流进行高精度的所谓“比例分辨”模拟。这种能力将导致设计出更高效、更有能力的航空航天技术。特别是，它将极大地改进下一代无人机(UAV)的设计，在未来几十年内，无人机将对我们的社会产生重大影响，在国防、边境安全、搜救、农业、渔业、货物运输、无线通信和天气监测等领域发挥关键作用。开发能够有效利用当前和未来计算平台(具有数千甚至数百万个计算核心)的能力的软件，以进行迄今难以处理的复杂无人机配置上的气流模拟2。)测试和演示该软件的尖端功能，III。)将这项技术转化为工业，这样它就可以用于促进下一代无人机的设计。该研究项目将由彼得·文森特博士(伦敦帝国理工学院航空系讲师)领导。它将与包括BAE系统公司、NASA Glenn、Nvidia和Zenotech在内的各种工业合作伙伴以及包括斯坦福大学、加州大学伯克利分校、斯旺西大学和犹他大学在内的各种学术合作伙伴合作进行。这个由项目合作伙伴组成的团队，包括一些世界领先的公司和精英研究机构，将确保该项目成功实现其目标。

Over the past decades, computer simulations have played an increasingly important role in design of numerous complex systems. In particular, computer simulations have played a pivotal role in aerodynamic and structural design of aircraft. It is becoming apparent, however, that current generation software packages used for aerodynamics design are not fit for purpose. Newer software is required, that can make effective use of current and future computing platforms, to perform highly accurate so called 'scale-resolving' simulations of air flow over complex aircraft configurations. Such capability would lead to design of more efficient and capable aerospace technology. In particular, it would greatly improve design of next generation Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which in the coming decades are set to have a significant impact on our society, playing key roles in areas such as defense, border security, search and rescue, farming, fishing, cargo transport, wireless communications, and weather monitoring.The primary objectives of this research are to i.) develop software that can effectively leverage capabilities of current and future computing platforms (with many thousands or even millions of computing cores) to undertaken hitherto intractable simulations of airflow over complex UAV configurations ii.) test and demonstrate cutting edge functionality of this software, iii.) translate the technology to industry, such that it can be used to facilitate design of next generation UAVs.The research program will be lead by Dr. Peter Vincent (a Lecturer in the department of Aeronautics at Imperial College London). It will be undertaken in collaboration with various industrial partners including BAE Systems, NASA Glenn, Nvidia, and Zenotech, and with various academic partners including Stanford University, UC Berkeley, University of Swansea, and University of Utah. This assembled team of project partners, comprising a selection of the world's leading companies, and elite research institutions, will ensure the project successfully delivers its objectives.