Supercomputer | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Features of Supercomputers

• Multiple CPUs: Supercomputers differ from conventional computers in that they typically incorporate multiple CPUs, each with circuits for interpreting program instructions and executing arithmetic and logic operations in the correct sequence.
• Overcoming Physical Limits: The use of multiple CPUs is necessitated by the physical limits of circuit technology, as electronic signals cannot travel faster than the speed of light, setting a fundamental speed limit for signal transmission and circuit switching.
• Miniaturization and Cooling: To approach this speed limit, supercomputers employ strategies like miniaturization of circuit components, reducing the length of wires connecting circuit boards, and innovative cooling techniques (e.g., cryogenic fluid immersion) to achieve optimal operating temperatures.
• High-Speed Data Retrieval: Supercomputers require rapid retrieval of stored data and instructions to support their exceptionally high computational speeds. Thus, they boast substantial storage capacity and fast input/output capabilities.

National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)

• Empowering Academic and R&D Institutions: The NSM aims to empower national academic and research institutions across India by establishing a vast supercomputing grid comprising more than 70 high-performance computing facilities.
• Network Connectivity: These supercomputers will be interconnected via the National Supercomputing grid over the National Knowledge Network (NKN), another government program connecting academic institutions and research labs through a high-speed network.
• Human Resource Development: The NSM includes the development of a highly professional High-Performance Computing (HPC) aware workforce capable of meeting the challenges of developing applications for these supercomputers.
• Application Clusters: India's goal is to create a cluster of supercomputers dedicated to applications such as weather forecasting, drug discovery, and data mining.

Characteristics of Supercomputers

• Computational Power: Supercomputers excel at solving large and complex calculations, making them suitable for a wide range of scientific and technical applications.
• Multi-User Accessibility: These machines can accommodate multiple users simultaneously, facilitating collaborative research and data analysis.
• Cost Prohibitive: Supercomputers are expensive, making them inaccessible to ordinary users or small organizations.
• Specialized Applications: They find use in specialized fields requiring intensive and complex calculations.
• Large Storage Capacity: Supercomputers typically offer extensive storage capabilities.

Applications of Supercomputers

• Biology and Medical Research: Supercomputers aid in disease diagnosis and support research on conditions like strokes, brain injuries, and blood flow issues.
• Military and Defense: They enable virtual testing for nuclear explosions and weapon ballistics.
• Climate Studies: Supercomputers are instrumental in studying and understanding climate patterns.
• Aviation Industry: They facilitate the design of flight simulators for pilot training.
• Weather Forecasting: Supercomputers gather weather information in systems like NOAA for accurate forecasting.
• Scientific Research: They play a crucial role in analyzing data from space exploration, satellites, and nuclear research.
• Data Mining: Large companies use supercomputers for extracting valuable insights from massive data stozes, such as insurance companies.
• Financial Markets: Supercomputers are essential in online currency trading, like bitcoin, and stock market analysis.
• Automobile Simulation: They create simulated environments for vehicle testing, aiding customers in making informed purchases.
• Pollution Control: Supercomputers help predict and mitigate pollution levels, including smog, through scientific research.

Disadvantages of Supercomputers

• High Cost: Supercomputers are prohibitively expensive.
• Space Requirements: They demand significant physical space for installation.
• Limited Applicability: They are not suitable for broad applications and are mostly used for specialized tasks.
• Cannot Replace Physical Testing: Supercomputers cannot entirely replace physical testing in certain scenarios.
• Skilled Staff: They require well-trained personnel for operation and maintenance.
• Maintenance Intensive: Supercomputers demand regular maintenance.
• Massive Data Storage: They rely on massive external storage for handling extensive datasets.
• High Power Consumption: Supercomputers have high power requirements.
• Cooling Challenges: In addition to air conditioning, they often require water cooling due to the heat generated during processing.

As of June 2021 there are 3 systems based in India on the TOP500 supercomputer list.