An O(log n) algorithm for parallel update of minimum spanning trees

Parallel algorithms are presented for updating a minimum spanning tree when the cost of an edge changes or when a new node is inserted in the underlying graph. Our model of computation is a parallel random access machine which allows simultaneous reads but prohibits simultaneous writes into the same memory location. The algorithms described in this paper for updating a minimum spanning tree require O(log n) time and O(n²) processors. These algorithms are efficient when compared to previously known algorithms for initial construction of a minimum spanning tree that require O(log²n) time and use O(n²) processors. The two main contributions of this paper are: (i) usage of an inverted tree for updating minimum spanning trees, and (ii) discovery of an interesting property of minimum spanning trees that we exploit to develop a novel algorithm for vertex insertion update.