STK Parallel Computing Extension - Parallel Computations

Parallel compute options are available for:

When you select the Parallel Computing option, STK saves the current state of your scenario to a temporary VDF, worker processes are started on the local machine or on the cluster machine depending on your configuration, and then results are sent back to STK. You can cancel the computation using the regular STOP button in the STK status bar. Also additional information, warnings and error messages may be displayed in the STK message viewer.

Coverage and Figure of Merit

To use parallel computing on a Coverage object, select CoverageDefinition->Compute Accesses in Parallel from the object's right-click menu or context menu.

The figure of merit static values are also computed in parallel if one of the following is true:

  • The data retention mode on coverage is set to [Static Data Only].
  • The figure of merit object has 2D or 3D graphics visible.
  • The "Compute all figures of merit in parallel with their parent coverage" option is selected for Compute Options on the Parallel Computing Extension preferences window.

When a figure of merit object needs to be recomputed by itself, it is computed in parallel only if it is one of the expansive figure of merit types:

  • AccessConstraint
  • NavigationAccuracy
  • DilutionOfPrecision

Deck Access

To use parallel computing for Deck Access, select Volumetric->Deck Access... from the object's right-click menu or context menu, and select Compute in Parallel from the Deck Access window.

Volumetric

To use parallel computing on a Volumetric object, select Volumetric->Compute in Parallel from the object's right-click menu or context menu.

Automatic Compute Option

In addition, you can activate a mode to automatically compute in parallel. That option is available in Edit/Preferences and also on the Parallel Computing Extension toolbar.

With the option to automatically compute in parallel, the regular STK menus and buttons always compute in parallel. A benefit of using that option is that STK will perform computations in parallel even when the computations occur due to a change of a dependent object in the scenario.

Parallel Computing Extension Toolbar

The Parallel Computing Extension toolbar is available from the View > Toolbars menu. Options available on the Parallel Computing toolbar (Figure 1) are described in the table below.

Parallel Computing Extension Toolbar
Figure 1: Parallel Computing Extension toolbar.

Button Name Description
Auto Compute Automatically compute Coverage, Deck Access, and Volumetric in parallel Always use parallel mode when computing Coverage, Deck Access, and Volumetric (explicitly or as a result of changes made to other objects in the scenario).
Validate Scenario Validate scenario Runs multiple checks on the scenario to ensure the computations will be successful. You can run the tool manually by clicking on the scenario validation icon. The scenario checker is run by default before each parallel computation. You can disable the option at Edit->Preferences->Parallel Computing->Compute Options->Validate scenario before computing.
Job Monitor Show job monitor Displays the job monitor window within the STK interface.

Canceling a Computation

During a parallel computation, you can cancel the computation using the regular STOP button in the STK status bar. Also additional information, warnings and error messages may be displayed in the STK message viewer.

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