Characteristics of a numerical fluid dynamics simulator

A concept of a real time Numerical Fluid Dynamics Simulator (NFDS) is described, and its characteristics are derived. The following characteristics are adopted as guiding principles: (1) that the performance characteristics (information output, throughput and storage) of the NFDS be defined by the maximum rate at which the research can absorb the results of his/her simulator, thus establishing an impedance match between man and machine; (2) that the NFDS off-load from the researcher's brain in every way possible the routine tasks of data analysis that can be done automatically; and (3) that the NFDS is operated as a dedicated experimental device and that the researcher has complete control over the apparatus and experiment. The NFDS is envisioned to be composed of simulation processors, data storage devices, and image processing devices of extremely high power and capacity, interconnected by very high throughput communication channels. Individual component performance requirements are presented for both real time and playback operating models of the NFDS, using problems of current interest in fluid dynamics as examples.