32. With respect to Flynn’s taxonomy, where do systolic arrays fit? What about clusters of workstations?
Systolic arrays and clusters of workstations can be classified within Flynn's taxonomy as follows:
Systolic Arrays: Systolic arrays are a type of parallel computing architecture that falls under the Multiple Instruction, Multiple Data (MIMD) category of Flynn's taxonomy. In a systolic array, multiple processing units (typically in the form of simple processors or specialized functional units) work in parallel to process data in a highly regular and structured manner. Data flows through the array, with each processing unit performing a specific operation on the data as it passes through. Systolic arrays are often used for tasks such as matrix computations and signal processing.
Clusters of Workstations: Clusters of workstations are typically categorized as a form of Multiple Instruction, Multiple Data (MIMD) architecture, similar to conventional distributed computing systems. In a cluster of workstations, individual workstations or nodes are connected together to form a cluster, where each workstation can function as an independent processing unit. Tasks can be distributed among the workstations in the cluster, and each workstation can execute different instructions on its local data. Communication between the workstations is typically achieved through a network, allowing for coordination and data exchange.
It's important to note that while systolic arrays and clusters of workstations can be classified within Flynn's taxonomy, the taxonomy was primarily developed to categorize individual processors and their execution models. Systolic arrays and clusters of workstations represent higher-level architectural concepts that utilize multiple processors, and they can incorporate various instruction and data stream characteristics depending on their design and implementation.