Design Aspects of Hathi-2 parallel computer

Hathi-2 parallel computer is a transputer-based distributed multicomputer with a programmable processor interconnection network. The computer is intended for research of parallel programming methods and implementation of parallel algorithms for various applications. The custom design of the computer is an attempt to improve and enhance the basic transputer arcitecture, and at the same time, to preserve full compatibility with existing transputer hardware and software products. The computer is scalable up to very large amount of processors with linear hardware overhead. A 16-processor and a 100-processor model of the computer have been built. Design solutions of the Hathi-2 system are reviewed: interconnection network, global synchronization mechanism, performance monitoring hardware, overall control system of the computer, hardware partitioning method, and system expansion and interfacing possibilities. Especially this presentation attempts to clarify what is the reasoning behind Hathi-2 engineering. Software support for the implemented computer architecture is briefly presented. Image processing applications as well as hardware enhancements for low level image processing are discussed.