The HPCC Program is organized into five Program Component Areas (PCAs) that cover a broad spectrum of computing, information, and communications technology R&D supported by the Federal government. The PCAs are areas of high priority investments by the Federal agencies that participate in the coordinated R&D programs. These PCAs represent a new structure that evolved from the original components-High Performance Computing Systems (HPCS), National Research and Education Network (NREN), Advanced Software Technology and Algorithms (ASTA), Information Infrastructure Technology and Applications (IITA), and Basic Research and Human Resources (BRHR). These original components were crafted more than five years ago and characterized the new directions that were being explored in high performance computing and communications. Advances in knowledge and the rapid pace of development of new technologies have necessitated new descriptions of the activities funded under this Program. The PCAs are defined, briefly, in the following. More extensive definitions and characteristics are given in section 4.
High End Computing and Computation (HECC):
HECC R&D is focused on continued U.S. leadership in high performance computing
and computation. Investments concentrate on leading-edge innovations in hardware
and software such as storage and data technologies for high-end computing systems,
experimentation with novel devices, development of system software technologies,
advanced simulation techniques, and fast, efficient algorithms for simulation and
modeling. In addition, HECC research supports exploration of advanced computing
concepts in quantum, biological, and optical computing at both the hardware and
software levels. At the high end, these technologies enable distributed,
multidisciplinary computation-intensive, scientific and engineering applications.
Scalable systems allow effective deployment of these technologies to the
workplace, school, and home.
Large Scale Networking Technologies (LSN):
LSN R&D will assure U.S. technological leadership in communications through
R&D that advances the leading edge of networking technologies and services.
This includes advanced network components and technologies for engineering and
management of large-scale networks, both for scientific and engineering R&D
and for other purposes. Areas of particular focus include: (1) technologies and
services that enable wireless, optical, mobile and wireline communications; (2)
networking software that enables information to be disseminated to individuals,
multicast to select groups, or broadcast to an entire network; (3) software for
efficient development and execution of scalable distributed applications; (4)
software components for distributed applications, such as electronic commerce,
digital libraries, and health care; and (5) R&D infrastructure support and
testbeds.
High Confidence Systems (HCS):
HCS R&D will provide users with high levels of security, protection,
reliability, and restorability of information services. Such systems are
resistant to system failure and malicious penetration or damage and readily
adapt or respond to interference. These systems include both physical
components, wired and wireless technologies, the data they contain and
transmit, and the software that manipulates these data. HCS R&D focuses on
(1) system reliability (such as management of networks under load, failure,
or intrusion; emergency response; firewalls; secure enclaves; and formal
methods), (2) security and privacy (including personal identification, access
control, authentication, encryption and other privacy assurance techniques,
public key infrastructures, and trusted agents for secure distributed
computing), and (3) testing and evaluation. Key applications include national
security, law enforcement, life- and safety-critical requirements, personal
privacy, and protection of critical elements of the National Information
Infrastructure.
Human centered Systems (HuCS):
HuCS R&D makes computing systems and communications networks more easily
accessible to and usable by a wide range of user communities. These
communities include scientists and engineers, educators and students, the
workforce, and the general public. Technologies enabling such systems include:
(1) "knowledge repositories" and "information agents" for
managing, analyzing, and presenting massive amounts of multimedia and
multi-source information; (2) "collaboratories" that provide access
to knowledge repositories and that facilitate knowledge sharing, group
authorship, and control of remote instruments; (3) systems that enable
multi-modal human system interactions including speech, touch, and gesture
recognition and synthesis; and (4) virtual reality environments and their
application to fields including scientific research, health care,
manufacturing, and training.
Education, Training, and Human Resources (ETHR):
The focus of ETHR R&D is on education and training technologies. The
goals of this education and training are to produce (1) researchers and
students in high performance computing, communications, information
technologies, and their application, and (2) a citizenry with the skills
to compete and prosper in the 21st century's information age. ETHR includes
curriculum development, fellowships, and scholarships for computational,
computer, and information sciences and engineering. It includes the
application of interdisciplinary research to learning technologies, and
R&D in information-based learning tools, lifelong learning, and
distance learning for people in remote locations.
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