Ray tracing on distributed memory parallel systems

ABSTRACT

Among the many techniques in computer graphics, ray tracing is prized because it can render realistic images, albeit at great computational expense. In this note we explore the performance of several approaches to ray tracing on a distributed memory parallel system. A set of performance instrumentation tools and their associated visualization software are used to identify the underlying causes of performance differences.

REFERENCES

• 1: R. Arlauskas, iPSC/2 system: a second generation hypercube, Proceedings of the third conference on Hypercube concurrent computers and applications: Architecture, software, computer systems, and general issues, p.38-42, January 19-20, 1988, Pasadena, California, United States [doi>10.1145/62297.62303]
• 2: MALON~, A. D., ET AL. An Integrated Performance Data Collection Analysis, and Visualization System. In Proceedings of the Fourth Conference on Hypercube Concurrent Computers and Applications (Monterey, CA, Mar. 1989), Association For Computing Machinery.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.3 COMPUTER GRAPHICS
      I.3.3 Picture/Image Generation
          Subjects: Display algorithms

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.1 PROCESSOR ARCHITECTURES
      C.1.2 Multiple Data Stream Architectures (Multiprocessors)
          Subjects: Parallel processors**

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.3 COMPUTER GRAPHICS
      I.3.5 Computational Geometry and Object Modeling
          Subjects: Curve, surface, solid, and object representations

General Terms:
Algorithms, Performance