PAPIA: Pyramidal architecture for parallel image analysis

In 1981 a national research program for the design, simulation and construction of a multiprocessor image processing system was started. After a first phase devoted to the comparison of suggested and existing systems and to the definition of a set of benchmarks and to the evaluation of the performances of the major classes of machines, a new system has been defined. The structure of the new system is based on a pyramid of processors and many applications in which this machine may be exploited are highlighted. The multiprocessor architecture has been fully designed and the chip will be built by an Italian silicon. foundry, the SGS company, within the framework of the multichip national project.