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，计算机模拟在众多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起着举足轻重的作用。然而，越来越明显的是，当前一代用于空气动力学设计的软件包不适合目的。需要更新的软件，能够有效地利用当前和未来的计算平台，对复杂飞机配置上的气流进行高度精确的所谓“尺度分辨”模拟。这种能力将导致设计出更有效和更有能力的航空航天技术。特别是，未来几十年将在国防、边境安全、搜救、农业、渔业、货物运输、无线通信、气象监测等领域发挥重要作用的下一代无人驾驶飞行器（uav）的设计将得到极大改善。这项研究的主要目标是：1)开发能够有效利用当前和未来计算平台（拥有数千甚至数百万个计算核心）的能力的软件，以进行迄今为止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；3)将该技术转化为工业，以便用于促进下一代无人机的设计。该研究项目将由Peter Vincent博士（伦敦帝国理工学院航空系讲师）领导。它将与各种工业合作伙伴合作进行，包括BAE系统公司、NASA Glenn、Nvidia和Zenotech，以及各种学术合作伙伴，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。这个由项目合作伙伴组成的团队，包括精选的世界领先公司和精英研究机构，将确保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.