SATURN Multi-Core Technical Information
Harvesting the Power of your Desktop PC
SATURN Multi-Core (SATURN MC) is a multi-threaded version of the existing assignment suite that is able to take full advantage of the additional processors (or cores) available on most Intel / AMD-powered standard desktop PCs.
Recent testing across a range of different sized SATURN models has demonstrated the significant performance gains available with SATURN Multi-Core in model runtimes. Typically, SATURN Multi-core reduced the overall model runtimes by up to 1 / N where N is the number of physical cores available depending on the size and type of network and the assignment parameters used. For example, on a quad-core machine, the model runtimes on various test networks were reduced by up to a factor of four (4) (See Chart).
SATURN Multi-core is available in all SATURN Versions from 10.8.22 onwards and produces marginally different, but equally valid, assignment results from its single-threaded equivalent. To activate the multi-threaded operation once installed, all the user needs to do is to set the parameter MULTIC=T in the network data file and the Windows Operating System handles the rest.
At present, the development has focussed on the changes to the path-building and loading within SATALL. Over the next few months, maintained users will also have access to the enhancements made to SATLOOK and SATCH software that are likely to provide similar performance improvements to these programs.