Connectionist Modeling and Parallel Architectures

University of Rochester) and ICSIM (lCSI Berkeley) allow the definition of unit types and complex connectivity patterns. On a very high level of abstraction, simulators like tleam (UCSD) allow the easy realization of predefined network architectures (feedforwardnetworks) and leaming algorithms such as backpropagation. Ben Gomes, International Computer Science Institute (Berkeley) introduced the Connectionist Supercomputer 1. The CNSl is a multiprocessor system designed for moderate precision fixed point operations used extensively in connectionist network calculations. Custom VLSI digital processors employ an on-chip vector coprocessor unit tailored for neural network calculations and controlled by RISC scalar CPU. One processor and associated commercial DRAM comprise a node, which is connected in a mesh topology with other nodes to establish a MIMD array. One edge of the communications meshis reserved for attaching various 110 devices, which connect via a custom network adaptor chip. The CNSl operates as a compute server and one 110 port is used for connecting to a host workstation. Users with mainstream connectionist applications can use CNSim, an object-oriented, graphical high-level interface to the CNSl environment.