Enhanced null message algorithm for hybrid parallel simulation systems with large disparity in time step

Abstract

Modeling and simulation has received significant attention over the years for its ability to understand and transform real world systems. With the increasing of complexity and scale of the simulated systems, more computational power is required. Parallel discrete event simulation(PDES) is an important technology to integrate parallel computing into modeling and simulation. Time synchronization algorithm is the core of PDES, which determines the correctness and efficiency of the simulation. Traditional conservative synchronization algorithms, such as Chandy-Misra-Bryant(CMB) null message algorithm, use null message to synchronize the state and avoid deadlock among logical processes(LPs). But hybrid simulation systems contains both continuous models and discrete models, continuously changing states is typically modeled using time steps in hybrid simulation system. Therefore, hybrid systems with large disparity in time step are very common in real simulation systems. However, current conservative synchronization algorithm has not been fully investigated for this type of simulation systems and will generate massive synchronization messages. This paper proposed an enhanced null message algorithm for hybrid simulation systems with large disparity in time step. It extended the CMB algorithm by adding simulation time in null message request messages. This could significantly reduce the number of synchronization messages. Experimental results showed that our synchronization algorithm outperforms the CMB algorithm by reducing a great number of synchronization messages.