Performance Issues in a Real-Time True Color Data Display            

Robert F. Erbacher and Georges G. Grinstein                             
Institute for Visualization and Perception Research                        
Department of Computer Science                                   
University of Massachusetts-Lowell                                
One University Avenue                                      
Lowell, MA 01854                                        


Abstract                                             
We discuss the integration of          visualization and      supercomputing in a low cost     
environment. Computational requirements continue to increase dramatically as                   
computational capabilities do. Yet most architectures still separate both processes. The       
computation is done on one system and the visualization on another. We describe an             
innovative architecture developed by the Supercomputer Research Center of the Institute        
for Defense Analysis within which the integration of visualization and                         
supercomputation is realized. Immediate gains are obvious: program visualization,              
real-time computational steering, and rapid porting of current applications. We                
describe the issues in porting our experimental visualization          software1,2,7 and issues
e encountered. We describe limitations and advantages of the hardware/software                
coupling. We also discuss a proposed extension of that architecture.                           



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