Framework for Modernization and Componentization of Fusion Modules

78810S Hundreds of person-years are invested in established fusion codes, providing scientists with invaluable physics insights. However, because these codes were written some time ago and include input from many scientists, they are not readily suited for modern computational environments and increased research demands, including the need for integrated modeling, ease of use, high-performance, and distributed settings. This project will develop a framework that contains a set of tools, standards, and techniques for modernizing the modules extracted from established fusion codes. The modernization will include the subsequent conversion of these modules to components with clearly defined interfaces in accordance with modern software engineering practices. Phase I, will analyze the compatibility of the standards of the National Transport Code Collaboration (NTCC), which consists of modules extracted from the established fusion codes, with accepted component technology standards. An approach for the modernization and componentization of several NTCC transport modules and solvers will be developed. The modernization effort will include the development of transport modules with extended portability and improved configurability. The componentization effort will include the development of modernized models with clearly defined interfaces, facilitating their coupling to transport equation solvers converted into pluggable and interoperable components. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The proposed framework should empower the fusion community with the capability to combine codes into a complex and powerful computational system for the integrated modeling of fusion devices across multiple computational platforms/compiler combinations, and enhance the accessibility of the codes over the Internet and their deployment on computational grids.The system also should find use in other areas of scientific research, as well as commercial sectors, which use multiple legacy codes.