Content Addressable Parallel Processors

About this book

For many problems involving the repetitive application of simply algorithms to masses of data parallel processing offers vastly increased speed of operation and ease of programming. This book is the first comprehensive overview of the Content Addressable Parallel Processor (CAPP) a machine that implements parallel processing at the hardware level. In clear practical detail the book covers the theory design application and advantages of CAPP showing why it will have an important influence on the next generation of computers. Here for example is a complete description of a typical content addressable machine including comparisons of its relative cost and performance with a conventional machine. The book also examines STARAN a commercially available CAPP and explains the interaction of its six major parts AP control memory AP control associative array program pager sequential control and external function logic. A variety of hardware techniques for realizing the functions of CAPP are provided as are logical and arithmetic algorithms and methods of arranging gates and auxiliary flip-flops for achieving maximum speed of execution.