Neutron beam testing of high performance computing hardware

Sarah E. Michalak, Andrew J. DuBois, Curtis B. Storlie, Heather M. Quinn, William N. Rust, David H. DuBois, David G. Modl, Andrea Manuzzato, Sean P. Blanchard

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Microprocessor-based systems are the most common design for high-performance computing (HPC) platforms. In these systems, several thousands of microprocessors can participate in a single calculation that could take weeks or months to complete. When used in this manner, a fault in any of the microprocessors could cause the computation to crash or cause silent data corruption (SDC), i.e. computationally incorrect results. In recent years, neutron-induced failures in HPC hardware have been observed, and researchers have started to study how neutron radiation affect microprocessor-based scientific computations. This paper presents results from an accelerated neutron test focusing on two microprocessors used in Roadrunner, the first Petaflop system.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2011 IEEE Radiation Effects Data Workshop, REDW 2011 - Held in Conjunction with the IEEE Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects Conference, NSREC 2011, Proceedings
Pages169-176
Number of pages8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
Event2011 IEEE Radiation Effects Data Workshop, REDW 2011 - Held in Conjunction with the IEEE Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects Conference, NSREC 2011 - Las Vegas, NV, United States
Duration: Jul 25 2011Jul 29 2011

Publication series

NameIEEE Radiation Effects Data Workshop

Other

Other2011 IEEE Radiation Effects Data Workshop, REDW 2011 - Held in Conjunction with the IEEE Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects Conference, NSREC 2011
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLas Vegas, NV
Period7/25/117/29/11

Keywords

  • Soft error
  • cross-section
  • neutron beam testing
  • silent data corruption
  • single event effect

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Radiation
  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics

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