MUSEC, a powerful network of signal microprocessors

We describe a flexible multi-micro-processor system with the power of a large commercial signal processor but lower cost. MUSEC (MUltiplex SErvice Circuit) may be programmed for any application requiring a time-bandwidth product in the high-quality audio range, and can run several jobs at a time. Patterned after signal-processing flow graphs, MUSEC´s architecture exploits the new LSI signal microprocessor chips by networking groups of them through a central time- and space-division switch whose serial data links enforce Data-Flow computation. This switch can effect any desired pattern of data distribution among processor, memory, and I/O modules. MUSEC´s power may be increased simply by adding modules. The architecture encourages modular, re-usable software, and its regular structure is ideal for VLSI realization.