Importance

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Abstract

An SIMD array processor having a scalable and flexible architecture. The SIMD array architecture includes an array of processing elements, a plurality of processor controllers, and at least one other computer system. A system area network interconnects at least one user computer with the processor controllers and the computer system; and, a storage area network interconnects at least one storage device with the processor controllers and the computer system. The SIMD array architecture is adapted to allow different user computers to use different portions of the array of processing elements and/or different processor controllers and computer systems simultaneously. The array of processing elements has a hierarchical structure comprising backplanes, PCB's, ASIC's, and arrays of processing elements. The SIMD array architecture can be scaled by increasing the quantity of backplanes, PCB's, ASIC's, and/or by increasing the size of the arrays of processing elements. The SIMD array architecture can also be flexibly modified to achieve arrays of processing elements with different aspect ratios by selectively accessing data paths interconnecting the processing elements.

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First Claim