Parallel Clustering Algorithms for Structured AMR

We compare several different parallel implementation approaches for the clustering operations performed during adaptive gridding operations in patch-based structured adaptive mesh refinement (SAMR) applications. Specifically, we target the clustering algorithm of Berger and Rigoutsos (BR91), which is commonly used in many SAMR applications. The baseline for comparison is a simplistic parallel extension of the original algorithm that works well for up to O(10{sup 2}) processors. Our goal is a clustering algorithm for machines of up to O(10{sup 5}) processors, such as the 64K-processor IBM BlueGene/Light system. We first present an algorithm that avoids the unneeded communications of the simplistic approach to improve the clustering speed by up to an order of magnitude. We then present a new task-parallel implementation to further reduce communication wait time, adding another order of magnitude of improvement. The new algorithms also exhibit more favorable scaling behavior for our test problems. Performance is evaluated on a number of large scale parallel computer systems, including a 16K-processor BlueGene/Light system