GPU acceleration of matrix-based methods in computational electromagnetics

Date
2011-03
Authors
Lezar, Evan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This work considers the acceleration of matrix-based computational electromagnetic (CEM) techniques using graphics processing units (GPUs). These massively parallel processors have gained much support since late 2006, with software tools such as CUDA and OpenCL greatly simplifying the process of harnessing the computational power of these devices. As with any advances in computation, the use of these devices enables the modelling of more complex problems, which in turn should give rise to better solutions to a number of global challenges faced at present. For the purpose of this dissertation, CUDA is used in an investigation of the acceleration of two methods in CEM that are used to tackle a variety of problems. The first of these is the Method of Moments (MOM) which is typically used to model radiation and scattering problems, with the latter begin considered here. For the CUDA acceleration of the MOM presented here, the assembly and subsequent solution of the matrix equation associated with the method are considered. This is done for both single and double precision oating point matrices. For the solution of the matrix equation, general dense linear algebra techniques are used, which allow for the use of a vast expanse of existing knowledge on the subject. This also means that implementations developed here along with the results presented are immediately applicable to the same wide array of applications where these methods are employed. Both the assembly and solution of the matrix equation implementations presented result in signi cant speedups over multi-core CPU implementations, with speedups of up to 300x and 10x, respectively, being measured. The implementations presented also overcome one of the major limitations in the use of GPUs as accelerators (that of limited memory capacity) with problems up to 16 times larger than would normally be possible being solved. The second matrix-based technique considered is the Finite Element Method (FEM), which allows for the accurate modelling of complex geometric structures including non-uniform dielectric and magnetic properties of materials, and is particularly well suited to handling bounded structures such as waveguide. In this work the CUDA acceleration of the cutoff and dispersion analysis of three waveguide configurations is presented. The modelling of these problems using an open-source software package, FEniCS, is also discussed. Once again, the problem can be approached from a linear algebra perspective, with the formulation in this case resulting in a generalised eigenvalue (GEV) problem. For the problems considered, a total solution speedup of up to 7x is measured for the solution of the generalised eigenvalue problem, with up to 22x being attained for the solution of the standard eigenvalue problem that forms part of the GEV problem.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie werkstuk word die versnelling van matriksmetodes in numeriese elektromagnetika (NEM) deur die gebruik van grafiese verwerkingseenhede (GVEe) oorweeg. Die gebruik van hierdie verwerkingseenhede is aansienlik vergemaklik in 2006 deur sagteware pakette soos CUDA en OpenCL. Hierdie toestelle, soos ander verbeterings in verwerkings vermoe, maak dit moontlik om meer komplekse probleme op te los. Hierdie stel wetenskaplikes weer in staat om globale uitdagings beter aan te pak. In hierdie proefskrif word CUDA gebruik om ondersoek in te stel na die versnelling van twee metodes in NEM, naamlik die Moment Metode (MOM) en die Eindige Element Metode (EEM). Die MOM word tipies gebruik om stralings- en weerkaatsingsprobleme op te los. Hier word slegs na die weerkaatsingsprobleme gekyk. CUDA word gebruik om die opstel van die MOM matriks en ook die daaropvolgende oplossing van die matriksvergelyking wat met die metode gepaard gaan te bespoedig. Algemene digte lineere algebra tegnieke word benut om die matriksvergelykings op te los. Dit stel die magdom bestaande kennis in die vagebied beskikbaar vir die oplossing, en gee ook aanleiding daartoe dat enige implementasies wat ontwikkel word en resultate wat verkry word ook betrekking het tot 'n wye verskeidenheid probleme wat die lineere algebra metodes gebruik. Daar is gevind dat beide die opstelling van die matriks en die oplossing van die matriksvergelyking aansienlik vinniger is as veelverwerker SVE implementasies. 'n Verselling van tot 300x en 10x onderkeidelik is gemeet vir die opstel en oplos fases. Die hoeveelheid geheue beskikbaar tot die GVE is een van die belangrike beperkinge vir die gebruik van GVEe vir groot probleme. Hierdie beperking word hierin oorkom en probleme wat selfs 16 keer groter is as die GVE se beskikbare geheue word geakkommodeer en suksesvol opgelos. Die Eindige Element Metode word op sy beurt gebruik om komplekse geometriee asook nieuniforme materiaaleienskappe te modelleer. Die EEM is ook baie geskik om begrensde strukture soos golfgeleiers te hanteer. Hier word CUDA gebruik of om die afsny- en dispersieanalise van drie gol eierkonfigurasies te versnel. Die implementasie van hierdie probleme word gedoen deur 'n versameling oopbronkode wat bekend staan as FEniCS, wat ook hierin bespreek word. Die probleme wat ontstaan in die EEM kan weereens vanaf 'n lineere algebra uitganspunt benader word. In hierdie geval lei die formulering tot 'n algemene eiewaardeprobleem. Vir die gol eier probleme wat ondersoek word is gevind dat die algemene eiewaardeprobleem met tot 7x versnel word. Die standaard eiewaardeprobleem wat 'n stap is in die oplossing van die algemene eiewaardeprobleem is met tot 22x versnel.
Description
Thesis (PhD (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
Keywords
Massively parallel processors, Acceleration of CEM techniques, CUDA, OpenCL, Dissertations -- Electronic engineering, Theses -- Electronic engineering, Electromagnetism, Graphics processing units, Computational electromagnetics (CEM)
Citation