NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Problem size, parallel architecture, and optimal speedupThe communication and synchronization overhead inherent in parallel processing can lead to situations where adding processors to the solution method actually increases execution time. Problem type, problem size, and architecture type all affect the optimal number of processors to employ. The numerical solution of an elliptic partial differential equation is examined in order to study the relationship between problem size and architecture. The equation's domain is discretized into n sup 2 grid points which are divided into partitions and mapped onto the individual processor memories. The relationships between grid size, stencil type, partitioning strategy, processor execution time, and communication network type are analytically quantified. In so doing, the optimal number of processors was determined to assign to the solution, and identified (1) the smallest grid size which fully benefits from using all available processors, (2) the leverage on performance given by increasing processor speed or communication network speed, and (3) the suitability of various architectures for large numerical problems.
Document ID
19880063069
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Nicol, David M.
(College of William and Mary Williamsburg, VA, United States)
Willard, Frank H.
(College of William and Mary Williamsburg, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1988
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing
Volume: 5
ISSN: 0743-7315
Subject Category
Computer Programming And Software
Accession Number
88A50296
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS1-18107
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available