Resource-constraint and scalable data distribution management for high level architecture
Authors: Ratan K. Guha
Venue:  (2007)

In this dissertation, we present an efficient algorithm, called P-Pruning algorithm, for data distribution management problem in High Level Architecture. High Level Architecture (HLA) presents a framework for modeling and simulation within the Department of Defense (DoD) and forms the basis of IEEE 1516 standard. The goal of this architecture is to interoperate multiple simulations and facilitate the reuse of simulation components. Data Distribution Management (DDM) is one of the six components in HLA that is responsible for limiting and controlling the data exchanged in a simulation and reducing the processing requirements of federates. DDM is also an important problem in the parallel and distributed computing domain, especially in large-scale distributed modeling and simulation applications, where control on data exchange among the simulated entities is required. We present a performance-evaluation simulation study of the P-Pruning algorithm against three techniques: region-matching, fixed-grid, and dynamic-grid DDM algorithms. The P-Pruning algorithm is faster than region-matching, fixed-grid, and dynamic-grid DDM algorithms as it avoid the quadratic computation step involved in other algorithms. The simulation results show that the P-Pruning DDM algorithm uses memory at run-time more efficiently and requires less number of multicast groups as compared to the three algorithms. To increase the scalability of P-Pruning algorithm, we develop a resource-efficient enhancement for the P-Pruning algorithm. We also present a performance evaluation study of this resource-efficient algorithm in a memory-constraint environment. The Memory-Constraint P-Pruning algorithm deploys I/O efficient data-structures for optimized memory access at run-time. The simulation results show that the M emory-Constraint P-Pruning DDM algorithm is faster than the P-Pruning algorithm and utilizes memory at run-time more efficiently. It is suitable for high performance distributed simulation applications as it improves the scalability of the P-Pruning algorithm by several order in terms of number of federates. We analyze the computation complexity of the P-Pruning algorithm using average-case analysis. We have also extended the P-Pruning algorithm to three-dimensional routing space. In addition, we present the P-Pruning algorithm for dynamic conditions where the distribution of federated is changing at run-time. The dynamic P-Pruning algorithm investigates the changes among federates regions and rebuilds all the affected multicast groups. We have also integrated the P-Pruning algorithm with FDK, an implementation of the HLA architecture. The integration involves the design and implementation of the communicator module for mapping federate interest regions. We provide a modular overview of P-Pruning algorithm components and describe the functional flow for creating multicast groups during simulation. We investigate the deficiencies in DDM implementation under FDK and suggest an approach to overcome them using P-Pruning algorithm. We have enhanced FDK from its existing HLA 1.3 specification by using IEEE 1516 standard for DDM implementation. We provide the system setup instructions and communication routines for running the integrated on a network of machines. We also describe implementation details involved in integration of P-Pruning algorithm with FDK and provide results of our experiences.