green%compsci.bristol.ac.uk@NSS.Cs.Ucl.AC.UK (Stuart Green) (04/05/89)
i860 Distributed Graphics Supercomputer
=======================================
The Flute product range, announced today by Tektite Ltd. (Felixstowe,
England), implements a distributed graphics supercomputer based on the
processing power of the newly available Intel i860 microprocessor and the
connection capabilities of the Inmos transputer family.
The Flute system includes a base graphics module plus an unlimited number
of additional processing modules. Each module contains a 40MHz Intel i860
plus a 10 MIP Inmos T222 transputer.
The i860 is easily the highest performance microprocessor available today.
The 40MHz parts used in the Flute range perform at peak speeds of 33 VAX
MIPS (40 i840 MIPS), 80 single-precision MFlops, and 50,000 Gouraud-shaded
triangles per second with Z-buffer and one light source. Graphics and vector
floating point performance depend on high bus bandwidths - a 64-bit external
data bus and dual on-chip caches combine to supply an impressive 960 MBytes/sec
to the i860 execution units.
Graphics/Processing Module
==========================
The Flute graphics/processing module contains a 40MHz Intel i860, 24 MBytes
of main memory, 4 MBytes of dual-ported display memory, a programmable display
controller, and a colour palette. The display controller supports both 8
bit/pixel video at resolutions up to 1280x1024 and 24 bit/pixel video at
resolutions up to 1024x800. At 8 bit/pixel, 256 colours can be used from a
palette of 16.7 million. At 24 bit/pixel, all 16.7 million colours can be
used simultaneously. The i860 architecture implements both 16-bit and
32-bit Z buffers with 8-bit or 24-bit pixel depth - a total of 56 bits/pixel.
Bootstrapping and system services are supplied by a 10 MIP Inmos T222
transputer, communicating with the i860 via 8 KByte of semaphored dual-port
memory. The T222 acts as a service and I/O processor for the i860. Amongst
the facilities the T222 supplies are an unlimited number of independent
timer channels, and ultra-flexible DMA capability, bootstrap support from
64 KByte of flash EPROM, and four 20 Mbit/sec serial communications channels
to processing modules.
The base module is implemented as an IBM PC-AT expansion board. An expansion
connector allows the routing of normal 640x480 PC-AT VGA video via the Flute
video subsystem, thus allowing a single-monitor implementation.
Processing Module
=================
The Flute processing module contains a 40 MHz i860 processor with 16 MBytes of
main memory, and an Inmos T222 I/O and communications processor, communicating
as before via 8 Kbytes of semaphored dual-port memory.
The processing module is implemented in the 16-pin Inmos TRAM format (9.3x22cm)
and can therefore be installed in a PC, in a VAX or SUN workstation, in a
dedicated chassis, or as part of an embedded system.
Interconnection
===============
Flute modules all include an Inmos transputer, and can therefore be
interconnected via the most comprehensive and sophisticated communications
software available today. A root module is required to communicate with a host
which can provide disk, keyboard, mouse and communications support. By using
the four 20 Mbit/sec Inmos links built in to each module, expansion can then
proceed in any topology desired - tree, ring and hypercube being examples.
A minimal Flute installation will expand the computing and display capabilities
of any PC-AT to a level which exceeds the fastest SUN, VAX, or MIPS
workstation. It can do this within the PC environment, maintaining the end
user's access to favoured PC applications within a single box/single monitor
implementation.
The typical expansion capability of a PC-AT chassis will support a
130 MIP/320 MFlop, an Inmos T800 transputer at 1.5 MFlop, and an IBM PC
at 0.06 MFlop.
The Flute system will be available during the third quarter of 1989.
Anticipated pricing is as follows:
Graphics/Processing module 17,500 pounds
Processing module 7,500 pounds
For more information, contact:
Tektite Ltd.
P.O. Box 5
Felixstowe
England. IP11 7LW
Tel. 0394 672117
Telex 987458 TKTITE G