Systems architecture

About: Systems architecture is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 17612 publications have been published within this topic receiving 283719 citations. The topic is also known as: system architecture.

The Cray BlackWidow: a highly scalable vector multiprocessor

Abstract: This paper describes the system architecture of the Cray BlackWidow scalable vector multiprocessor. The BlackWidow system is a distributed shared memory (DSM) architecture that is scalable to 32K processors, each with a 4-way dispatch scalar execution unit and an 8-pipe vector unit capable of 20.8 Gflops for 64-bit operations and 41.6 Gflops for 32-bit operations at the prototype operating frequency of 1.3 GHz. Global memory is directly accessible with processor loads and stores and is globally coherent. The system supports thousands of outstanding references to hide remote memory latencies, and provides a rich suite of built-in synchronization primitives. Each BlackWidow node is implemented as a 4-way SMP with up to 128 Gbytes of DDR2 main memory capacity. The system supports common programming models such as MPI and OpenMP, as well as global address space languages such as UPC and CAF. We describe the system architecture and microarchitecture of the processor, memory controller, and router chips. We give preliminary performance results and discuss design tradeoffs.

A hospital integrated framework for multimodality image base management

Abstract: The trend in healthcare information technology is increasingly digital and multimedia oriented. The next generation of health care information systems will consist of a vast network of heterogeneous, autonomous, and distributed imaging scanners, databases, information systems, knowledge intensive applications, and large quantities of multimedia medical data. A key challenge facing system researchers and builders is to provide a new organizational framework that can integrate this varied collection of resources into what appears to be a uniform and logical conglomeration of data and knowledge store in order to increase the availability of global or previously nonaccessible information and to address demanding new information processing requirements for diverse image-assisted medical applications. The purpose of this paper is to present the authors' research toward the development of a hospital integrated framework of multimodality image base management (MIBM) for digital radiology of the future. This evolutionary framework consists of three hierarchical components: a hospital-integrated picture archiving and communication system (HI-PACS), a medical image database system (MIDS), and a set of image-based medical applications that relies on the support of MIDS and PACS. In this paper, the authors describe the system architecture, guiding principles, and design specifications of HI-PACS and MIDS and illustrate their functions and capabilities with three implemented applications, namely, patient folder workflow, distributed object management, and multimodality imaging studies. In addition, the authors conclude their findings with a summary of challenges and research directions.

The Architecture of SM3: A Dynamically Partitionable Multicomputer System

Abstract: The architecture of a multicomputer system with switchable main memory modules (SM3) is presented. This architecture supports the efficient execution of parallel algorithms for nonnumeric processing by 1) allowing the sharing of switchable main memory modules between computers, 2) supporting dynamic partitioning of the system, and 3) employing global control lines to efficiently support interprocessor communication. Data transfer time is reduced to memory switching time by allowing some main memory modules to be switched between processors. Dynamic partitioning gives a common bus system the capability of an MIMD machine while performing global operations. The global control lines establish a quick and efficient high-level protocol in the system. The network is supervised by a control computer which oversees network partitioning and other global functions. The hardware involved is quite simple and the network is easily extensible. A simulation study using discrete event simulation techniques has been carried out and the results of the study are presented. The architecture of this system is compared to those of conventional local area networks and shared-memory systems in order to establish the distinct nature and characteristics of a multicomputer system based on the SM3 concept.

Games@large graphics streaming architecture

Abstract: In coming years we will see low cost networked consumer electronics (CE) devices dominating the living room. Various applications will be offered, including IPTV, VoIP, VoD, PVR and others. With regards to gaming, the need to compete with PlayStation and Xbox will require a radical change in system architecture. While traditional CE equipment suffers from having to meet low BOM (bill of materials) targets, dictated by highly competitive market and cable companies targeted costs, consoles enjoy superior hardware and software capabilities, being able to offset hardware and BOM costs with software royalties. Exent Technologies is leading the European FP6 Integrated Project Games@Large, whose mission is to research, develop and implement a new platform aimed at providing users with a richer variety of entertainment experience in familiar environments, such as their house, hotel room, and Internet Cafe. This will support low-cost, ubiquitous game-play throughout such environments, while taking advantage of existing hardware and providing multiple members of the family and community the ability to play simultaneously and to share experiences. This paper focuses on one of the innovative aspects of the Games@Large project idea - the interactive streaming of graphical output to client devices. This is achieved by capturing the graphical commands at the DirectX API on the server and rendering them locally, resulting in high visual quality and enabling multiple game execution. In order to support also small handheld devices which lack hardware graphics support, an enhanced video method is additionally provided.

Fundamental issues in testing distributed real-time systems

Abstract: This paper examines the fundamental problems that one faces when testing a distributed, hard real-time system. It specifically identifies the influences of the distributedness and of the real-time requirements of the systems considered. We show how the usual problems of testing become more difficult, and which additional problems are introduced, because of these additional system characteristics.