Implementation of parallel thinning algorithms on multicomputers: analysis of the work load balance

Practical implementation of two parallel thinning algorithms on a multicomputer system is described. The solution has been conceived for a multiprocessor using the SPMD (single program multiple data) programming model and executions has been carried out on a transputer based system. The main goal is to describe the authors' experiences on data partition/distribution among processors for parallel thinning algorithms as a representative type of algorithms where communications take place between neighbor processors and the work load for each processor depends on the input data. It is shown how the efficiency of the parallel implementation can be optimized through the application of a preprocess.