Local interpolation using a distributed parallel supercomputer |
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| Authors: | Marc P Armstrong Richard J Marciano |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Geography and Program in Applied Mathematical and Computational Sciences, 316 Jessup Hall , The University of Iowa , Iowa City, IA, 52242, U.S.A. E-mail: marc-armstrong@uiowa.edu;2. San Diego Supercomputer Center , P. O. Box 85608, San Diego, CA, 92186-9784, U.S.A. E-mail: marciano@sdsc.edu |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Large spatial interpolation problems present significant computational challenges even for the fastest workstations. In this paper we demonstrate how parallel processing can be used to reduce computation times to levels that are suitable for interactive interpolation analyses of large spatial databases. Though the approach developed in this paper can be used with a wide variety of interpolation algorithms, we specifically contrast the results obtained from a global ‘brute force’ inverse–distance weighted interpolation algorithm with those obtained using a much more efficient local approach. The parallel versions of both implementations are superior to their sequential counterparts. However, the local version of the parallel algorithm provides the best overall performance. |
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