COMPS: The Common Memory Message Passing System

摘要

Multiprocessor systems require high speed interprocessor communication. To be widely useful, however, the communication scheme must be not only fast but also affordable. We are developing a multi-processor, COMPS, which uses dual-ported RAM as common memory between two nodes. The message passing protocol is sender initiated, interrupt driven and semaphore synchronised. A five node prototype has been built, and is undergoing evaluation and refinement. Preliminary results indicate that the communication scheme has a high bandwidth. The COMPS architecture is scalable and modular.