Graphics supercomputer for high-end applications

CAD in industry Graphics supercomputer for high-end applications A graphics supercomputer has been launched by Stellar Computer. According to Stellar, the supercomputer, called the Stellar Graphics Supercomputer Model GS1000, combines the performance of a minisupercomputer with 3D graphics capabilities greater than those offered by workstations and terminals. The supercomputer is aimed at high-end scientific and technical applications in MCAE, computational chemistry, geophysical analysis, animation and visualization, simulation, computational fluid dynamics, and image processing. The GS1000 is built around a custom-designed architecture that Stellar claims allows integration of minisupercomputer performance, realtime high-resolution 3D graphics, and an interactive visualization software environment in a deskside system. The architecture uses application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and includes multiple parallel functional units and main and cache memories coupled through the proprietary Datapath. Datapath enables multiple parallel transfers between all functional units and the memories at aggregate transfer rates of 1.28 gbyte/s, using up to four I/O processors with a combined bandwidth of 64 Mbyte/s. The supercomputer features the proprietary Synchronous Pipeline Multi-Processor (SPMP) architecture, which includes a multistream processor unit, a vector floating-point processor for executing scalar and vector floating-point operations, and a rendering processor, which handles pixel manipulation. The rendering processor holds images as pixel maps in virtual memory; according to Stellar, this technique allows rendering of images of almost any resolution or dimension, irrespective of the physical frame buffer or display window sizes. The SPMP architecture contains mechanisms that allow synchronization of instruction streams at any level of granularity and also dynami-

volume 20 number 8 october 1988

Graphics performances include: • 150000 100-pixel Gouraud-shaded triangles/s • 30 000 Phong-shaded polygons/s • 10-50000 Phong-shaded spheres/s

Immunoglobin modelled on Stellar GSIO00 supercomputer cally balances system resources as application demands vary. The GS1000 has a main memory of 16 Mbyte, expandable to 128 Mbyte, cache memory of 1 Mbyte, o n e to four 380 or 760 Mbyte internal disc drives, 16 or 32 planes of frame buffer memory, an IBM PC AT-compatible SPC/386 processor for MS-DOS capabilities, four VME slots and five AT-compatible slots, a 19 in colour monitor with resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels, a 1.2 Mbyte floppy drive, and a 150 Mbyte cartridge tape. Disc stripping is supported. Performance benchmarks include: • 20-25 MIPS integer performance • floating-point performance of 40 Mflops peak vector performance • 8.6 Mflops 100 x 100 Linpack full precision • 16 Mflops 300 x 300 coded MV Linpack routine

The GS1000 incorporates a Unixderived operating system called Stellix, which is based on Univ V Release 3 with BSC 4.2/4.3 extensions. Other standard software include the Stellar X Window System and MS-DOS. The interactive visualization environment currently being developed will be built on industrystandard graphics and user interfaces, including X Window System Version 11 and PHIGS+. Networking protocols supported include Ethernet, TCP/IP, NFS, and Pronet 80. The GS1000 supports Fortran 77, with Cray, VAX, and Convex extensions, and C languages, delivered as optimizing and vectorizing compilers that automatically break programs into work units (threads) that can be executed in parallel. An entry-level system, with 16 Mbyte of main memory, a 380 Mbyte disc drive, and 16 planes of frame buffer memory, costs £75 000. (Stellar (UK) Ltd, 15 Frederick Sanger Road, Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey GU2 5YD, UK. Tel: (0483) 505388.) (Stellar Computer Inc., 85 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02759, USA. Tel: (677) 964 1000)

Prisma- single-user CAD system A single-user CAD system has been announced by Isicad. The system is called PC-Prisma and offers high-end performance, making use of any IBM-compatible PC for file storage. PC-Prisma offers 2D, 3D, analysis, and database software for a range of applications, including facilities management, architectural design, solid modellin~ digital terrain modelling, mechanical ductwork and electrical design. All files are com-

patible with all Isicad products. The workstation comprises the Prisma electronics cabinet, a 19 in monitor with resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels and 256 colours, an alphanumeric display and keyboard, joystick, and digitizer tablet. System prices start at £25 000. (Isicad (UK) Ltd, 4 The Courtyard, Denmark Street,Wokingham, Berkshire RGll 2AZ, UK. Tel: (0734) 781500. Fax: (0734) 772149)

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