Polymorphic computer outperforms quad-core Xeon by a factor of 10

Posted on Thursday, March 22 2007 @ 17:27 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
U.S. military contractor Raytheon invented a polymorphic computer that can adopt different forms depending on the application it has to run:
Called, Monarch (Morphable Networked Micro-Architecture) the computer has been developed to tackle the large data volume of sensor systems as well as their signal and data processing throughput requirements.

The boffins say that it is the most adaptable processor ever built for the Department of Defense and reduces the number of processor types required. Monarch runs as a single system on a chip and it performs in an array of chips for teraflop throughput.

One of the chaps and chapettes behind the chip, Nick Uros said that most chips were designed either for front-end signal processing or back-end control and data processing. Monarch reconfigures itself so it can do either.
Uros claims the system outperforms Intel's quad-core Xeon processor by a factor of 10. In an array with six processor Monarch had a performance of 64 gigaflops with more than 60GB per second of memory bandwidth and 43GB per second of off-chip data bandwidth.


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Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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