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Fast algorithms and parallel structures for form factor evaluation

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Abstract

Two reduced complexity algorithms that enable the efficient determination of form factors are described. The preliminary complexity computations show that the new methods are at least five times faster than a previously proposed technique for practical problem sizes. Both methods trace back the special 3D visibility task inherent to the form factor calculation to 2D hidden-line elimination using special scane planes. The basic operations are planar rotations. Moreover, the proposed algorithms are highly parallel, pipelineable, and suitable for multiprocessor implementation. The basic processing unit is an ASIC-type CORDIC computing element.

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Part of the paper presented as an extended abstract, International Workshop on Algorithms and Parallel Architectures, June 10–16, 1990, Pont-à-Mousson, France

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Kocsis, F., Böhme, J.F. Fast algorithms and parallel structures for form factor evaluation. The Visual Computer 8, 205–216 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01900656

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