The CC/IPP, an MIMD-SIMD architecture for image processing and pattern recognition

This paper describes the design of a heterogeneous system for high speed image processing, based on commodity components. The architecture is built around MIMD processor boards linked by a high speed network. SIMD boards can be connected to MIMD nodes through the PCI bus. This paper describes the system, a framework to use this heterogeneous system as a single entity, and the work in progress on the creation of a homogeneous programming model for fast application building. To show the validity of the concept, the paper concludes with a performance analysis of a VLSI mask inspection application for an MIMD system with and without attached SIMD system.