The primary design goal of a tightly coupled multiprocessor is to achieve high performance through efficient resource sharing and inter-processor communication.
This means focusing on:
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Minimizing Latency: Reducing the delay in communication and data access between processors. Because tightly coupled systems share a common memory, reducing latency is crucial for maximizing processing speed.
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Maximizing Throughput: Increasing the amount of work that can be completed in a given time. Tight coupling enables multiple processors to work on different parts of a problem concurrently, boosting overall throughput.
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Efficient Resource Sharing: Optimizing the use of shared resources like memory and I/O devices. This involves designing mechanisms to prevent bottlenecks and ensure fair access for all processors.
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Simplified Inter-processor Communication: Providing fast and straightforward methods for processors to exchange data and synchronize their activities. This usually involves utilizing the shared memory directly.
In simpler terms: Imagine a team of chefs working together in the same kitchen (shared memory). The goal is for them to be able to collaborate seamlessly and quickly – passing ingredients (data) to each other without delay, so they can cook a large meal (complete a complex task) faster than if they were working separately.
The tightly coupled architecture aims to exploit parallelism at a fine-grained level. This allows for rapid data sharing, but also creates higher degrees of memory contention issues that must be effectively managed.
