The computational requirements for real-time image based applications are such as to warrant the use of a parallel architecture. Commonly used parallel architectures conform to the classifications of Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD), or Multiple Instruction Multiple Data (MIMD). Each class of architecture has its advantages and dis-advantages. For example, SIMD architectures can be used on data-parallel problems, such as the processing of an image. Whereas MIMD architectures are more flexible and better suited to general purpose computing. Both types of processing are typically required for the analysis of the contents of an image. This thesis describes a novel massively parallel heterogeneous architecture, implemented as the Warwick Pyramid Machine. Both SIMD and MIMD processor types are combined within this architecture. Furthermore, the SIMD array is partitioned, into smaller SIMD sub-arrays, forming a Multiple-SIMD array. Thus, local data parallel, global data parallel, and control parallel processing are supported. After describing the present options available in the design of massively parallel machines and the nature of the image analysis problem, the architecture of the Warwick Pyramid Machine is described in some detail. The performance of this architecture is then analysed, both in terms of peak available computational power and in terms of representative applications in image analysis and numerical computation. Two tracking applications are also analysed to show the performance of this architecture. In addition, they illustrate the possible partitioning of applications between the SIMD and MIMD processor arrays. Load-balancing techniques are then described which have the potential to increase the utilisation of the Warwick Pyramid Machine at run-time. These include mapping techniques for image regions across the Multiple-SIMD arrays, and for the compression of sparse data. It is envisaged that these techniques may be found useful in other parallel systems.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:334003 |
| Date | January 1992 |
| Creators | Kerbyson, Darren James |
| Publisher | University of Warwick |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/80185/ |
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