popLA Software Upgrading

RAÚL EDUARDO BOLMARO; JAVIER WALTER SIGNORELLI

2006-05-01

2009-12-30

Informática (software)

Metalurgia

Technical Introduction popLA is a texture software developed at LANL between 1984 and 1990. It is used to deconvolute X-ray and neutron diffraction measurements of textures in metals and geologic materials. It is extensively used by several teams within LANL and by research groups in Universities and National Laboratories in USA and other parts of the world. It is an unclassified software package authorized for free distribution. popLA is an invaluable tool for the purpose that it fulfills. With continuing evolution in computer hardware and operating systems, the software is becoming obsolete, especially the user interface and the graphical output. The purpose of this work is to bring popLA to up-to-date computational standards, in order to maintain its utility as a research tool. Technical goals and offer. The first stage will focus on developing a window-based interface (GUI) to replace the current command-line interface in command window (DOS).  The functionality will remain the same. The first priority will be to re-compile the existing codes as required in order to be able to run under the new interface and ensure that the existing DOS-based functionality is preserved in the new interface. Particular attention will be paid to streamlining the capture of graphics images and to printing. We will approach the problem by developing an on screen graphics with scalable definition to obtain different formats and dpi files that can later on be processed or printed. Some of the array size limitations (previously imposed by the capabilities of 486 processors) will be removed to allow handling larger tasks. We will allow the software to accept piped keyboard inputs to free operators of routine tasks whenever they process large numbers of samples While the primary aim is to remove the device-specific graphics and printing aspects of the current popLA and make them suitable for a Windows environment, we will start developing a platform-independent approach. Currently we offer a GUI developed by using Tcl/TK like capabilities. That will allow completely crossing the platform border in a next step, when the original software can be subject to a deeper reprogramming and redesign. For the time being the compromise include compatibility with the modern Windows XP operating system platforms. Documenting the built in capabilities and help for software users will be approached by improving pre-existent manuals and by an on-screen help to be called by one of the program options. Deliverables 1.- Windows based version of popLA, with user interaction via pop-up menus. 2.- Update of the graphical interface and printing system. 3.- Addition of capabilities to increase software processing speed and array sizes. 4.- Provision of full documentation of source codes and executables: manuals, on-line help and a written extended report. Job Proposal and Cost We propose this work to be carried out by students and professionals of Computer Science at the Institute of Physics of Rosario (IFIR), dependent on the National University of Rosario (Rosario, Argentina), under the supervision of Prof. Raúl E. Bolmaro. Prof. Bolmaro has been a user of popLA for several years, and is very familiar with its many features. Prof. Bolmaro will interact directly with Dr. Carlos Tomé, Dr. John Bingert and Dr. Thomas Mason (MST-8). The latter two will supervise the task and provide coordination with users of popLA at LANL. The total cost is estimated in $ 10.000.- (Ten thousands dollars), including the payment of 2 students (10 hours each per week at $ 7.50 per hour) and 1 professional (5 hours per week at $ 10.0 per hour) overhead and laboratory fees. Period of Performance April 1, 2006, to March 31, 2007 with optional extension for one more year. Special Considerations Progress on the project will be reported by periodically submitting copies of the package on time periods no longer than three months with the first report to be submitted at month 5th.