Threads Distribution Effects on Graphics Processing Units Neutron Sensitivity

Graphic Processing Units offer the possibility of executing several threads in parallel, providing the user with higher throughput with respect to traditional multi-core processors. However, the additional resources required to schedule and handle the parallel processes may have the countermeasure of making GPUs more prone to be corrupted by neutrons. The reported experimental results prove that un-optimized thread distribution may exacerbate the device output error rate. As demonstrated, increasing the parallel algorithm block size minimizes the GPU neutron-induced output error rate. The GPU parallelism management is then analyzed as a method to increase reliability.