Implementing a Prototype System for 3D Reconstruction of Compressible Flow

PowerFlow3D is a prototype system for acquiring, reconstructing, and visualizing three-dimensional structure of complex flows around objects in wind tunnel test procedures. PowerFlow3D combines modern high-performance computing (HPC) with existing acquisition, reconstruction, and visualization methods to provide a foundational capability that helps to reveal critical information about the underlying structure of unknown flows. We describe the implementation of our system, focusing on tomographic reconstruction, in particular, and highlight the practical challenges encountered throughout our initial research and development (R&D) process. The resulting prototype achieves both reasonable performance and fidelity and provides opportunities for enhanced performance, fidelity, and scale. The results of this initial R&D effort thus enable continued progress toward a scalable HPC-accelerated system for guiding real-time decisions during wind tunnel tests.