Using Multiprocessor Systems in Scientific Applications

The MIDAS multiprocessor system is a multi-level, hierarchial structure developed at the Advanced Computer Architecture Laboratory of the University of California's Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. A two-stage, 11-processor system has been operational for about 18 months. It has been employed to investigate techniques for decomposing a variety of problems and algorithms into a parallel processor environment. The performance results for a number of different applications will be discussed. These include scientific data analysis, Monte Carlo calculations, solutions to partial differential calculations (using finite-difference methods), and problems in accelerator design. Language extensions and programming techniques for the data-flow architecture will also be presented.