SPERT-II: a vector microprocessor system and its application to large problems in backpropagation training

We report on the development of a high-performance system for neural network and other signal processing applications. We have designed and implemented a vector microprocessor and packaged it as an attached processor for a conventional workstation. We present performance comparisons with workstations on neural network backpropagation training. The SPERT-II system demonstrates roughly 15 times the performance of a mid-range workstation and five times the performance of a high-end workstation with extensive hand-optimization of both workstation versions.