Research in parallel discrete event simulation (PDES) protocols is characterized by a large number of unrelated empirical studies, a small set of analytic studies and to date no realizable approach that is optimal or universally practical. This research project is extending a framework incorporating a low-cost network that supports rapid dissemination of critical synchronization information. Such a framework should, at a minimum, provide speed-ups for all existing protocols. More promising, however, is its potential to support adaptive protocols-those that employ aggressive processing selectively. Among all protocols, these have the greatest likelihood of having provably minimal expected execution times. Success in this research could lead to the construction of PDES engines that would simulate arbitrary applications in minimum expected execution times. Further benefits could be gained from framework-supported, application-dependent performance enhancements based on "look-ahead" and "future lists."
