Message passing for parallel processing of pressure-sensitive paint images

A message-passing scheme is described that allows parallel processing of pressure-sensitive paint images on a machine with multiple processors or a cluster with multiple nodes. The scheme implements the use of forks and pipes in the former case and socket-based TCP/IP communications in the latter. The approach demonstrates how multiple copies of a nonparallel legacy code (in this case, NASA's Green Boot software) can be made to run in parallel in either a parent-child or a client-server configuration. Results are presented for benchmark data from wind tunnel tests of an F-16C fighter jet model and NASA's X-38 Crew Return Vehicle.