TABLE 3

Summary of Computational Runtimes (MATLAB Implementation on a Laptop Computer) These runtimes cover a 24-hr period, with a time step of 3 min. The simulation domain covers a longitude span of 130°, latitude span of 40°, and altitude range of 0–1100 km.

Module No.Purpose / DescriptionRuntime
1*Initialize simulation parameters0.001 s
2†Construct EPB plume structures using DLA682.83 s = 11.4 min
3‡Render 2-D and 3-D graphics of plume geometry14091.59 s = 235 min = 3.9 hr
4A*Run IRI model (along vertical plane at magnetic equator)373.03 s = 6.2 min
4B*Run IRI model (along horizontal plane of ionospheric peaks)945.89 s = 15.8 min
4C*Run IRI model (along multiple flat horizontal planes)6408.10 s = 107 min = 1.8 hr
5A‡Render 2-D graphics of EPB plume structures in terms of Ne1460.54 s = 24.4 min
5B‡Render 3-D graphics of EPB plume structures in terms of Ne8167.83 s = 136 min = 2.3 hr
5C‡Render 2-D graphics of EPB plume structures in terms of TEC5248.57 s = 87.5 min = 1.5 hr

  • ↵* Fixed-cost essential modules (only need to run once for a given simulation)

  • ↵† Scalable essential modules (can be run multiple times to realize different scenarios)

  • ↵‡ Non-essential modules (may be skipped during batch runs to save time)