Cray X-MP: the birth of a supercomputer

Author

August, Melvin C. ; Brost, Gerald M. ; Hsiung, Christopher C. ; Schiffleger, Alan J.

Author_Institution

Cray Res., Chippewa Falls, WI, USA

Volume

22

Issue

1

fYear

1989

Firstpage

45

Lastpage

52

Abstract

The authors´ experience in designing and manufacturing the Cray X-MP supercomputer is described. The X-MP is a multiprocessor design built on the basic architecture of the Cray-1 and incorporates the 16-gate emitter-coupled logic gate arrays used in the Cray-2 project. The goal was a two-processor machine compatible with the Cray-1 but with performance 1.5 to 2 times better. The authors examine the architectural considerations. They discuss the use of electronic design rules and CAD (computer-aided design); the packaging, interconnections, and cooling; and assembly and testing.<>

Keywords

CAD; computer architecture; multiprocessing systems; CAD; Cray X-MP; architectural considerations; assembly; computer-aided design; cooling; electronic design rules; emitter-coupled logic gate arrays; interconnections; multiprocessor; packaging; supercomputer; testing; Assembly; Design automation; Electronics cooling; Electronics packaging; Logic arrays; Logic design; Logic gates; Manufacturing; Packaging machines; Supercomputers;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Computer

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9162

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/2.19822

Filename

19822