A publication of the Advanced Simulation & Computing Division, NA-121.2, NNSA Defense Programs
December 2008
NA-ASC-500-08—Issue 9
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Visualization Team Upgrades ASC PowerWalls
Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL) recently completed upgrades to the ASC visualization theaters to improve overall picture quality and reliability or add the ability to project native Powerpoint files. Built and maintained by the ASC Program, the Lab’s PowerWalls are extremely large multiprojector displays used for demonstrations, press conferences, visits, scientific collaborations, and other events that require high-resolution display capabilities.
“Each theater has its own advantages,” said Becky Springmeyer, visualization project leader.“Some have conference room settings, one has auditorium seating, and another is a sizeable room that hosts large review panels and events. Our theaters include hardware and software designed not only for presentation use, but also for scientists to analyze data, share results, and visualize the massive amounts of data generated on our HPC platforms.”
One PowerWall received a projector upgrade that substantially improves the image quality and allows 3D stereographic images to be displayed, which give scientists an innovative way to display their research. Specially formatted movies are required for stereo, and viewers must wear 3D glasses to get the proper effect. Also, the number of projectors driving the PowerWall was reduced from eight to six, and the new projectors are a higher resolution than previous models. This change improved the overall image quality of the PowerWall and reduced the number of interfaces between the projected images.
Modem upgrades were performed on two PowerWalls. The new modems allow the PowerWalls to receive clearer, brighter, and more reliable video signals from the Linux clusters, thus improving the image quality of both systems. The fiber infrastructure between two buildings was also updated and provides a major improvement for the one of the theaters.
Liam Krauss, visualization developer (center, standing), points out anomalies on a tantalum simulation to LLNL physicists David Richards, Jim Glosli, and Fred Streitz (left to right). PowerWalls such as the one shown allow scientists to analyze data, share results, and visualize the massive amounts of data generated on ASC platforms.
In one of the PowerWall conference rooms, a Macintosh computer that uses a single lower-resolution projector was installed. “Talks projected on the PowerWalls are converted to a special ‘streaming movie’ format with greatly enhanced resolution that plays efficiently from our clusters,” said Springmeyer. “The Mac system was installed so that presentations can be projected in their native Powerpoint format on a single projector, rather than the PowerWall. The Mac can more easily accommodate users’ last-minute updates to presentations, and users can incorporate special effects and animations in their slides.”
The ASC theater facilities are important visualization resources available to all employees working on ASC programs.
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