Time Warp Simulation on Multi-Core Platforms

Abstract

Parallel Discrete Event Simulation (PDES) is concerned with the parallel and distributed execution of discrete event simulation models. This tutorial reviews parallel computing and the properties of Discrete Event Simulation (DES) models and then examines the construction of PDES solutions that use the Time Warp Synchronization Mechanism. A review of the general challenges to building high-performance Time Warp Synchronized PDES on multi-core processors and clusters composed of multi-core processors is presented. These challenges include considerations of the general quantitative metrics exhibited by DES simulation models as well as a review of the impact that small overheads and serial portions of a program can have on the potential peak performance of a parallel solution. Finally, directions for future opportunities with heterogeneous computing, domain specific hardware solutions, and edge computing will be explored.