An Analysis of an Interrupt-Driven Implementation of the Master-Worker Model with Application-Specific Coprocessors

In this thesis, we present a versatile parallel programming model composed of an individual general-purpose processor aided by several application-specific coprocessors. These computing units operate under a simplification of the master-worker model. The user-defined coprocessors may be either homogeneous or heterogeneous. We analyze system performance with regard to system size and task granularity, and we present experimental results to determine the optimal operating conditions. Finally, we consider the suitability of this approach for scientific simulations — specifically for use in agent-based models of biological systems.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Hickman, Joseph

Chairs dc:contributor.committeechair

• Patterson, Cameron D.
• Plassmann, Paul E.

Committee member dc:contributor.committeemember

• Jones, Mark T.

• master-worker model
• application-specific coprocessor
• parallel programming
• heterogeneous architecture
• Field programmable gate arrays

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-11262007-164715

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/35826