Space-based parallel program design process with high-level communication channels

Abstract

In this research, we reduce design complexity of parallel programs by performing the design task at the high level. We devised a formalism of the parallel program design process to support space-based parallel program design. In this formalism, program designs are captured in entity spaces. Entity spaces, including data spaces, tasks, etc. can be subdivided and freely distributed into logical node clusters that are assigned to processes. We designed high-level communication channels for communication among divided subtasks in a parallel program for space-based communication integration. Supported program models range in single program multiple data, multiple program multiple data, and their hybrid model. We designed single-space and cross-space high-level communication channels with various communication topologies. They are specified externally and decoupled from a parallel program. This makes the program logical and easily designed and reused. A practical example is used for illustrating the design process.

Keywords:

• Parallel program
• middleware
• software engineering
• communication channel