Install the SYNCHRONO module

Chrono::Synchrono is an optional module that enables the parallelization of Chrono::Vehicle simulation across different computing entities.

Features

The SynChrono module allows users to parallelize the dynamics computations for Chrono::Vehicles across MPI or DDS entities.

Required Dependencies

• To build applications based on this module, the following are required:

  • MPI

    • Linux: Tested with OpenMPI and MPICH.

    • Windows: Tested with Intel MPI and MS-MPI. You must ensure that the MPI dll (either impi.dll or msmpi.dll) is on your system path.

  • FlatBuffers

    • A version is included in chrono_thirdparty as a submodule, for general development either that version or an externally built one can be used.

• The following are optional:

  • FastDDS

    • Please use the latest binaries for installation.

    • Versions provided by package managers will likely work as well if they are reasonably up to date.

Building instructions

1. Initialize the FlatBuffers submodule in chrono_thirdparty with git submodule init and git submodule update.

   • For running programs with SynChrono you just need the FlatBuffers header from initializing the submodule.

   • If you make modifications to the FlatBuffers message schemas you will need either an external version of the FlatBuffers binaries (for example from a package manager) or to build the submodule version included in chrono_thirdparty.

2. Repeat the instructions for the [full installation](@ref tutorial_install_chrono). Chrono::Vehicle is required and at least one of Chrono::Irrlicht or Chrono::Sensor is recommended for visualization. When you see the CMake window, you must make these additional changes:

3. Set the CH_ENABLE_MODULE_SYNCHRONO as 'on', then press 'Configure' (to refresh the variable list).

4. (Optional) If using Fast_DDS set CH_USE_FAST_DDS to 'on', then press 'Configure'.

   • If you used the installed binaries they should be picked up automatically by CMake

   • If you built from source or installed in a non-standard location, you'll have to manually specify FastDDS_ROOT.

5. Press 'Configure' again, then 'Generate', and proceed as usual in the installation instructions.

How to use it

• Consult the [SynChrono API](@ref synchrono).

• Read the [overview](@ref module_synchrono_overview).