Distributed Numerical Weather Prediction via Satellite

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes a recent undertaking in distributed numerical weather prediction via high data rate networks. The governing project involved the operation of a coupled mesoscale modeling system on widely separated supercomputers, and experiments and demonstrations were performed to explore both long-distance and local-area operation of the system. Connectivity was provided either by NASA's Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) or by a terrestrial Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network. The modeling system was built around the Fifth-Generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (PSU–NCAR MM5) and consisted of the MM5, an ocean circulation model, and a surface wave model. The primary experiments and demonstrations utilized ACTS to link supercomputers at both NCAR in Boulder, Colorado, and at the Ohio Supercomputer Center in Columbus, Ohio. Other experiments and demonstrations utilized an ATM network to link supercomputers runn...