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Algebraic multigrid (AMG) is one of the most widely used solution techniques for linear systems of equations arising from discretized partial differential equations. The popularity of AMG stems from its potential to solve linear systems in almost linear time, that is with an O(n) complexity, where n is the problem size. This capability is crucial at the present, where the increasing availability of massive HPC platforms pushes for the solution of very large problems. The key for a rapidly converging AMG method is a good interplay between the smoother and the coarse-grid correction, which in turn requires the use of an effective prolongation. From a theoretical viewpoint, the prolongation must accurately represent near kernel components and, at the same time, be bounded in the energy norm. For challenging problems, however, ensuring both these requirements is not easy and is exactly the goal of this work. We propose a constrained minimization procedure aimed at reducing prolongation energy while preserving the near kernel components in the span of interpolation. The proposed algorithm is based on previous energy minimization approaches utilizing a preconditioned restricted conjugate gradients method, but has new features and a specific focus on parallel performance and implementation. It is shown that the resulting solver, when used for large real-world problems from various application fields, exhibits excellent convergence rates and scalability and outperforms at least some more traditional AMG approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a multilevel convergence framework for multigrid-reduction-intime (MGRIT) as a generalization of previous two-grid estimates. The framework provides a priori upper bounds on the convergence of MGRIT V- and F-cycles, with different relaxation schemes, by deriving the respective residual and error propagation operators. The residual and error operators are functions of the time-stepping operator, analyzed directly and bounded in the norm, both numerically and analytically. We present various upper bounds of different computational cost and varying sharpness. These upper bounds are complemented by proposing analytic formulae for the approximate convergence factor of V-cycle algorithms that take the number of fine grid time points, the temporal coarsening factors, and the eigenvalues of the time-stepping operator as parameters. The paper concludes with supporting numerical investigations of parabolic (anisotropic diffusion) and hyperbolic (wave equation) model problems. We assess the sharpness of the bounds and the quality of the approximate convergence factors. Observations from these numerical investigations demonstrate the value of the proposed multilevel convergence framework for estimating MGRIT convergence a priori and for the design of a convergent algorithm. We further highlight that observations in the literature are captured by the theory, including that two-level Parareal and multilevel MGRIT with F-relaxation do not yield scalable algorithms and the benefit of a stronger relaxation scheme. An important observation is that with increasing numbers of levels MGRIT convergence deteriorates for the hyperbolic model problem, while constant convergence factors can be achieved for the diffusion equation. The theory also indicates that L-stable Runge--Kutta schemes are more amendable to multilevel parallel-in-time integration with MGRIT than A-stable Runge--Kutta schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a unified and detailed presentation of root-node-style algebraic multigrid (AMG). AMG is a popular and effective iterative method for solving large, sparse linear systems that arise from discretizing partial differential equations. However, while AMG is designed for symmetric positive definite (SPD) matrices, certain SPD problems, such as anisotropic diffusion, are still not adequately addressed by existing methods. Non-SPD problems pose an even greater challenge, and in practice AMG is often not considered as a solver for such problems. The focus of this paper is on so-called root-node AMG, which can be viewed as a combination of classical and aggregation-based multigrid. An algorithm for root-node AMG is outlined, and a filtering strategy is developed, which is able to control the cost of using root-node AMG, particularly on difficult problems. New theoretical motivation is provided for root-node and energy-minimization as applied to symmetric as well nonsymmetric systems. Numerical results are then presented demonstrating the robust ability of root-node AMG to solve nonsymmetric problems, systems-based problems, and difficult SPD problems, including strongly anisotropic diffusion, convection-diffusion, and upwind steady-state transport, in a scalable manner. New detailed estimates of the computational cost of the setup and solve phases are given for each example, providing additional support for root-node AMG over alternative methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algebraic multigrid (AMG) is an O(n) solution process for many large sparse linear systems. A hierarchy of progressively coarser grids which utilize complementary relaxation and interpolation operators is constructed. High-energy error is reduced by relaxation, while low-energy error is mapped to coarse-grid matrices and reduced there. However, large parallel communication costs often limit parallel scalability. As the multigrid hierarchy is formed, each coarse matrix is formed through a triple matrix product. The resulting coarse grids often have significantly more nonzeros per row than the original fine-grid operator, thereby generating high parallel communication costs associated with sparse matrix-vector multiplication (SpMV) on coarse levels. In this paper, we introduce a method that systematically removes entries in coarse-grid matrices after the hierarchy is formed, leading to improved communication costs. We sparsify by removing weakly connected or unimportant entries in the matrix, leading to improved solve time. The main trade-off is that if the heuristic identifying unimportant entries is used too aggressively, then AMG convergence can suffer. To counteract this, the original hierarchy is retained, allowing entries to be reintroduced into the solver hierarchy if convergence is too slow. This enables a balance between communication cost and convergence, as necessary. In this paper we present new algorithms for reducing communication and present a number of computational experiments in support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algebraic multigrid (AMG) is a popular and effective solver for systems of linear equations that arise from discretized partial differential equations. While AMG has been effectively implemented on large scale parallel machines, challenges remain, especially when moving to exascale. In particular, stencil sizes (the number of nonzeros in a row) tend to increase further down in the coarse grid hierarchy, and this growth leads to more communication. Thus, as problem size increases and the number of levels in the hierarchy grows, the overall efficiency of the parallel AMG method decreases, sometimes dramatically. This growth in stencil size is due to the standard Galerkin coarse grid operator, PTAP, where P is the prolongation (i.e., interpolation) operator. For example, the coarse grid stencil size for a simple three-dimensional (3D) seven-point finite differencing approximation to diffusion can increase into the thousands on present day machines, causing an associated increase in communication costs. We therefore consider algebraically truncating coarse grid stencils to obtain a non-Galerkin coarse grid. First, the sparsity pattern of the non-Galerkin coarse grid is determined by employing a heuristic minimal "safe" pattern together with strength-of-connection ideas. Second, the nonzero entries are determined by collapsing the stencils in the Galerkin operator using traditional AMG techniques. The result is a reduction in coarse grid stencil size, overall operator complexity, and parallel AMG solve phase times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algebraic multigrid methods solve sparse linear systems Ax = b by automatic construction of a multilevel hierarchy. This hierarchy is defined by grid transfer operators that must accurately capture algebraically smooth error relative to the relaxation method. We propose a methodology to improve grid transfers through energy minimization. The proposed strategy is applicable to Hermitian, non-Hermitian, definite, and indefinite problems. Each column of the grid transfer operator P is minimized in an energy-based norm while enforcing two types of constraints: a defined sparsity pattern and preservation of specified modes in the range of P. A Krylov-based strategy is used to minimize energy, which is equivalent to solving APj = 0 for each column ) of P, with the constraints ensuring a nontrivial solution. For the Hermitian positive definite case, a conjugate gradient (CG-)based method is utilized to construct grid transfers, while methods based on generalized minimum residual (GMRES) and CG on the normal equations (CGNR) are explored for the general case. The approach is flexible, allowing for arbitrary coarsenings, unrestricted sparsity patterns, straightforward long-distance interpolation, and general use of constraints, either user-defined or auto-generated. We conclude with numerical evidence in support of the proposed framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]