The multiprocessor system with a fairly weighted global bus arbitration circuit

The design and construction of a tightly coupled multiprocessor system and a global bus granting arbitration circuit is discussed. The prototype system performance is analyzed, and it is shown that the addition of loosely coupled system features like private input-output devices and large local memories on a tightly coupled system exhibit characteristics such as high reliability and availability, ease of expansion, ease of programming, economy, and significantly higher performance over a comparable class of uniprocessor systems