Experience in the use of vector processors for 3D static analysis

A version of the TOSCA 3-D electromagnetic analysis program was written with particular attention to obtaining good vectorization using a single processor on the CRAY X-MP. Comparison of performance was made with several other vector processor machines with differing vectorization rules. It is concluded that the use of vector processors gives a worthwhile enhancement to the size of problems which can be solved within a period of less than half a day. At present the CRAY vectorize an inner loop more effectively than compilers on other machines. It is also apparent that transportability of code between vector machines means that even if the code will run on all machines it may need additional work to optimize it for each new system. So far only the equation-solving part of the program has been satisfactorily adapted for vector processing