Author :
Appiani, Enrico ; Conterno, Bruno ; Luperini, Vildo ; Roncarolo, Leonardo
Abstract :
The development of a parallel system providing high computational power at a reasonable cost using inexpensive processors is described. The original motivation for the work, which led to the EMMA (Elaborate Multi-Mini Associativo) multicomputer, was the mechanization of mail sorting. The need for a system that could be the basis for a wider range of applications spurred the study and development of a new system, the EMMA2. The discussion covers EMMA2´s characteristics, architecture, buses, standard modules, I/O, approach to coprocessors, and operating system.<>
Keywords :
mailing systems; operating systems (computers); parallel machines; parallel programming; EMMA; EMMA2; Elaborate Multi-Mini Associativo; I/O; architecture; buses; coprocessors; hierarchical multiprocessor; iAPX 286 CPU; iAPX 386 CPU; mail sorting; operating system; parallel system; standard modules; Application software; Automation; Computer architecture; Computer industry; Costs; Humans; Parallel processing; Postal services; Speech recognition; Throughput;
