=Paper=
{{Paper
|id=Vol-1787/135-139-paper-22
|storemode=property
|title=Construction of visualization system for scientific experiments
|pdfUrl=https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1787/135-139-paper-22.pdf
|volume=Vol-1787
|authors=Alexander Bogdanov,Andrei Ivashchenko,Evgenia Milova,Konstantin Smirnov
}}
==Construction of visualization system for scientific experiments==
https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1787/135-139-paper-22.pdf
Construction of visualization system
for scientific experiments
A. V. Bogdanova, A. I. Ivashchenkob, E. A. Milovac, K. V. Smirnovd
Saint Petersburg State University, 7/9 University Emb., Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia
E-mail: a bogdanov@csa.ru, b aiivashchenko@cc.spbu.ru, c milova.evg@gmail.com,
d
constcoh@gmail.com
Scientific visualization is a visual representation of results of scientific research by computer graphics.
Thus, the numerical results of research can be presented in a more appropriate graphic visual form. This makes it
possible to see something that is hidden in the numerical data, since the main goal of the research is not only a
numerical measurement of any performance, but also an opportunity to make visible some processes. Often sci-
entific visualization is tool that can be used only to explain the essence of the modeled process and to consider a
process in dynamics.
This proposal considers about possible approaches for the creation of visualization system designed for
scientific experiments. Possible hardware solutions are represented with various combinations of numerous com-
ponents, such as computing nodes which are based on graphics cards, visualization and virtualization servers.
Peripheral devices are studied in details. Description of software solutions that can be used are also provided.
The discribed system can be divided into three subsystems. First of them is subsystem of virtualiza-tion, based
on Nvidia GRID m60 cards. The main task of NVIDIA GRID graphics accelerators is to provide a high-
performance graphics-intensive applications working with demanding graphics compu-tation in a virtual envi-
ronment directly. This approach also avoids additional costs of purchase licenses for individual computers.
Next subsystem is a computing cluster with Nvidia k80 cards, which provide high rendering perfor-
mance. This platform com-bines the fastest GPU-accelerators widely used model CUDA parallel programming
and extensive ecosystem of application developers, application providers.
The third subsystem is the subsystem of the image output. The company Nvidia has a special NVS technol-
ogy. It is the standard for business graphics with support for multiple displays.
Keywords: computing infrastructure, computer graphics, visualization
Research was carried out using computational resources provided by Resource Center "Computer Center of SPbU"and sup-
ported by grants of Russian Foundation for Basic Research (projects no. 16-07-01111, 16-07-00886, 16-07-01113) and Saint
Petersburg State University (project no. 0.37.155.2014)
© 2016 Alexander V. Bogdanov, Firstname I. Ivashchenko, Evgenia A. Milova, Konstantin V. Smirnov
135
1. Introduction
Scientific visualization is a visual representation of results of scientific research by computer
graphics. Thus, the numerical results of research can be presented in a more appropriate graphic visual
form. This makes it possible to see something that is hidden in the numerical data, since the main goal
of the research is not only a numerical measurement of any performance, but also an opportunity to
make visible some processes. Often scientific visualization is tool that can be used only to explain the
essence of the modeled process and to consider a process in dynamics.
Thus, scientific visualization is a powerful tool for scientific research, but the amount of data
needed for scientific visualization is enormous, the required computing power is predicted by Moore's
law predicts. It is necessary to use methods of parallel computing to be able to use scientific visualisa-
tion in practice.
This report will be considered a parallel visualization system,rendering equipment and the neces-
sary software for visualization will be described.
This system can be used in particular to increase performance of CAD-programs, to perform the
tasks of rendering videos, animations, images, both with the same CAD-programs and with using sci-
entific packages such as ParaView. The sysem can be used for providing computing resources for
simulation programs (like simulation of physical processes, and simulation of any activity), for explo-
ration and visualization of large data sets obtained during computations in tasks are of gas dynamics
and hydrodynamics, for example.
2. Architecture
The whole system can be divided into three subsystems. First of them is subsystem of virtualiza-
tion, based on Nvidia GRID m60 cards. The main task of NVIDIA GRID graphics accelerators is to
provide a high-performance graphics-intensive applications working with demanding graphics compu-
tation in a virtual environment directly. This approach also avoids additional costs of purchase licenses
for individual computers [Makhinya, 2012, electronic resource].
Next subsystem is a computing cluster with Nvidia k80 cards, which provide high rendering per-
formance. Tesla K80 accelerator is one of the most powerful accelerator in the worldintended for a
wide range of applications, including machine learning, data mining, scientific and high-performance
(HPC) calculations. Dual Processors accelerator Tesla K80 is the new accelerated computing platform
flagship Tesla, the best platform for information analysis and accelerate research. This platform com-
bines the fastest GPU-accelerators widely used model CUDA parallel programming and extensive
ecosystem of application developers, application providers.
The third subsystem is the subsystem of the image output. The company Nvidia has a special
NVS technology. It is the standard for business graphics with support for multiple displays.
There are also Nvidia Quadro products, which are a more powerful for output devices. it provides
for the most demanding visualization tasks high performance through a large amount of built-in
memory. Such cards have advanced playback on displays with 4k definition. The choice of cards de-
pends on the specific devices of display images [Nvidia cards..., electronic resource].
The whole system you can see at picture 1.
Networks speed increases slowly in comparison with power and speed of accelerators, therefare
data transfer method is important for the system. Let’s consider image with 4k resolution with differ-
ent refresh rate. Information contained in table 1. We need channel with speed 7,9 Gb per sec for 30
Hz refresh rate, such speed can be provided by 10 Gb Ethernet. We need channel with speed 15,82 Gb
per sec for 60 Hz refresh rate, such speed can be provided by 40 Gb Ethernet or InfiniBand(EDR)
which provides 25 Gb per sec speed. InfiniBand is a high-speed switching computer-network commu-
nication standard which is used in high-performance computing, it promised a very high bandwidth
and low latency. InfinyBand is more suitable because it has big iops.
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Fig. 1. Architecture of the system for scientific experiments
Table 1. Data transfer rate
Resolution Amount of pixels Color depth (bit) Refresh rate (Hz) Speed (Gbit/sec)
4096x2160 8847360 32 30 7.91
4096x2160 8847360 16 30 3.96
4096x2160 8847360 8 30 1.98
4096x2160 8847360 32 60 15.82
4096x2160 8847360 16 60 7.91
4096x2160 8847360 8 60 3.96
4096x2160 8847360 32 120 31.64
4096x2160 8847360 16 120 15.82
4096x2160 8847360 8 120 7.91
3. Output devices
The most simple and accessible system are Single/Multi display and Active Wall systems. Sin-
gle/Multi display are display information from a single or multiple displays.
In this case Active Wall is a combination of multiple grid displays for large screen or for a pano-
ramic view. In this case Nvidia NVS cards are more suitable [ve-group company, electronic resource].
Holographic Display is a device for displaying information, and it gives illusion of presence in
the real volume of displayed objects to a viewer and the illusion of partial or total immersion in the
scene due to the stereoscopic effect. These devices are very demanding on the performance of the
hardware and the data channel. Some of these displays are very expensive [Virtual reality projects,
electronic resource].
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Immersive Display. In this case, the effect of augmented reality is achieved by an optical illusion
based on the composition of the projections from different angles. The system can contain the follow-
ing elements: a cylindrical screen with a wide viewing angle, a few stereoscopic projectors, stereo
glasses that create effect of the hologram [ImmersiveDisplay, electronic resource].
EYE is a Stereoscopic Virtual Reality Display. In the moment the most promising virtual reality
glasses are HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. HTC Vive is equipped with a dual-screen with a refresh rate of
90 Hz and 1080x1200 pixels resolutions. Oculus Rift has 2 screen with resolution of 1080x1200 with
75 Hz, 72 Hz and 60 Hz refresh rate. The viewing angle is about 110 degrees. Also, these glasses con-
tain a set of additional sensors such as a gyroscope, accelerometer, laser sensors [Htc Vive, electronic
resource],[Oculus Rift, electronic resource].
CAVE system is similar to Immersive Display, but it passes in a closed space. Today the projec-
tion virtual reality system CAVE (Computer-Aided Virtual Environment) or a room of virtual reality
is the most powerful and realistic. Virtual reality room is a projection system of virtual reality, in
which 3D imaging is performed on special screens (from 2 to 6 screens in form of room).
In last three cases increase of efficiency is needed, so the most suitable products for image output
are Nvidia Quadro [Cave, Electronic resource].
4. Additional equipment
It should be considered that traditional controllers are difficult to use in the complex output sys-
tems such as the CAVE or VR. That is why these devices can be used in addition:
• movement tracking system
• suit, tracking your body movements (motion capture);
• Haptika. The devices simulate different tactile sensation of person and allow the use tactile
communication channel in human-computer interface. It is very effective for creating simulators and
trainers,
• Gloves for interaction [ve-group company. electronic resource],
• Depth sensors can describe shape of objects in the world such as Google tango project [Google
tango, electronic resource].
5. Software
Equalizer is an open source project providing a minimally invasive programming interface and
resource management system for parallel, scalable OpenGL applications. It allows an application to
run unmodified on any visualization system, from a simple workstation to large scale graphics clusters
and multi-GPU workstations [Equalizer, electronic resource].
IceT (Image Composition Engine for Tiles) is a library for parallel rendering. It is oriented to
work with systems to display images that use multiple displays. The displays are arranged mosaic, to
form one large display [IceT, electronic resource].
ParaView is an open graphical cross-platform package for parallel data processing in VTK-
compatible formats for interactive visualization of researches. The package supports client-server ar-
chitecture for organization of remote visualization of data and level of detail using the method (level
of detail, LOD) to support the visualization of large amounts of data in an interactive mode. ParaView
package is implemented on the basis of the library Visualization Toolkit (VTK) and designed for data
parallelism on computers with shared, distributed memory and clusters [VTK, electronic resource].
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6. Examples
1) Aircraft simulator and simulator for refueling in the air
The system can contain the following elements: a cylindrical screen with a wide viewing angle, a
few stereoscopic projectors, stereo glasses, creating the effect of the hologram and tracking system.
And also special equipment look like pilot cabine.
It is can be used for virtual tests creation and for dynamics of flight. This approach also avoids
the additional costs for real flights.[ve-group company, electronic resource]
2) Shipbuilding and ship repair
The system can be used for:
• Modeling of necessary technologies for installation of equipment
• Modeling of behavior of ship in different conditions
• Optimal placement of equipment
• Calculation of reliability ets [ve-group company, electronic resource].
3) GIS and oil production.
It hlps in analysis of the data on oil production, sensing of land, and other gis systems [ve-group
company, electronic resource].
7. Conclusion
Now we are comparing output systems. Single/Multi display and Active Wall systems are the
simplest and accessible. Holographic display has real 3D view, but some of it is expensive. Glasses of
VR has problem with movement and tracking system, in this systems people can not see their body.
CAVE is the most powerful system, but is is need for hardware and it is expensive. The main ad-
vantage of glasses and CAVE is wide choice of additional equipment from simple device like joystick,
to complex systems like pilots cabin.
Some devices have been chosen for particular involvement into the system’s implementation.
Active wall and CAVE system is more perspective for realization, because CAVE provide
movement in 3D space, Active Wall is useful for presentation of results to audience.
References
Performance challenges in distributed rendering systems [Electronic resource]:
http://www.zora.uzh.ch/62015/1/Makhinya.pdf
Nvidia cards [Electronic resource]: http://www.nvidia.ru/object/nvs-graphics-ru.html
ve-group company [Electronic resource]: http://ve-group.ru/
Htc Vive [Electronic resource]: https://www.htcvive.com/us/
Oculus Rift [Electronic resource]: https://www.oculus.com/en-us/
Virtual reality projects [Electronic resource]: https://www.barco.com/ru/Продукты-и-
решения/Проекторы/Проекторы-для-виртуальной-реальности
Cave [Electronic resource]: https://www.evl.uic.edu/entry.php?id=2016
ImmersiveDisplay [Electronic resource]:
http://www.mcs.csueastbay.edu/~tebo/TheCompCoreImmersiveDisplay.pdf
Intel Realsense [Electronic resource]: https://software.intel.com/en-us/realsense/home
Google tango [Electronic resource]: https://www.google.com/atap/project-tango/
VTK [Electronic resource]: http://www.vtk.org/
Equalizer [Electronic resource]: http://equalizergraphics.com/
IceT [Electronic resource]: http://icet.sandia.gov/\_assets/documents/IceTUsersGuide-2-1.pdf
139