R. F. DeMara, Y. Tseng, K. Drake, and A. Ejnioui,
"Capability Classes of Barrier Synchronization Techniques," submitted to 
International Journal of Parallel and Distributed Systems and Networks on August 
30, 2004 and available as UCF Tech. Rep. UCF-ECE-0403 online at 
http://netmoc.cpe.ucf.edu:8080/internal/yearReportsDetail.jsp?year=2004&id=0403 

Abstract:
Performance metrics and evaluation criteria are used to develop a novel taxonomy 
which classifies barrier mechanisms into categories ranging from simple Static-
Binding Idle-Tasking (SBIT) methods to robust Dynamic-Binding Any-Tasking (DBAT) 
methods. Such capabilities include support for multiple barriers, reconfigurable 
and reusable synchronization resources, and provisions for dynamic process 
binding. Based on these features the existing software-based approaches, 
dedicated-hardware mechanisms, and hybrid hardware/software techniques for 
synchronization are assessed in order of increasing complexity. Any barrier 
synchronization algorithm can be readily classified using this taxonomy to 
understand resource requirements and performance tradeoffs.