What is the open source project "Parallella" that can realize computational power as high as 45 GHz CPU by parallel processing and can make supercomputer cheaply?

Developed with powerful hard and soft open source that can even build a supercomputer-like system, the project "Parallella" is to make everyone available from $ 99 (about 7700 yen).

Parallella: A Supercomputer For Everyone by Adapteva - Kickstarter


"Now we are using a single-thread computer where one processor performs one task, which is amazing, but in the face of problems of processing frequency and memory bottleneck, Improvement has not reached the desired level.If this condition continues, the situation that we have experienced over the last 30 years, the performance of the computer every year is over, and to solve that problem The answer is parallel computing. "It is this project to lead the projectAndreas OlofssonMr.


"I have been involved in the semiconductor industry for 15 years and in 2008AdaptevaI started a company called. We are a hardware designer, we are developing a simple, easy-to-use chip with low power consumption. "


They are making 16 chips, chips created with 65 nm process rules. And it seems that prototypes of chips made by 64 core and 28 nm process rule are completed now.


Chips smaller than 1 cent coin.


The boards that can be actually operated are as follows.



Chips in the box.


"Parallella" has computing power as high as CPU which drives at 45 GHz, it operates at 5 watts, and can be programmed in languages ​​such as C, C ++, OpenCL, Python and so on. Hardware specifications, control software, code such as SDK, etc. are all scheduled to be released. "We all benefit from open source software, but we are going to aim for the same thing with hardware," Olofsson says.


Performance demonstration of 64 core CPU "Epiphany - IV" is as follows. It seems that the processing for the general desktop PC CPU takes 4 seconds to complete in 219 milliseconds.

Epiphany-IV Performance Benchmark - YouTube


Massimiliano Versace, who is participating in the project, says, "For example, it requires considerable machine power in order for robots to analyze data captured from optical instruments and sensors in real time and to effectively recognize and work around the surrounding environment So, if there is a product with a powerful computing power (like Parallella), we will be able to perform tasks such as object recognition and navigation at a level that is regarded as a dream today, " I am talking.


The first user assumed by "Parallella" is a student who is learning parallel computing, but those who want to use not only those experts but also computers with tremendous power at $ 99 (about 7700 yen) We are also targeting. Instead of multicore, it seems that a machine with a speed of explosion like parallel processing using multiple CPUs can be used at home.


Actually running a Linux distribution "Ubuntu" crisply on "Parallella" can be seen in the following movies.

Prototype board running Ubuntu - YouTube


"The cost is high and the contents can only be used by a few people on a computer like a black box, so we will provide kits and tools for $ 99 (about 7700 yen)," Olofsson said.


At the end of the movie "The future of the computer is in parallel, if there is your cooperation, the Parallella project can make the parallel computing accessible to everyone" message will be displayed.


The project is being solicited for investment on Kickstarter on October 28 (Sunday) at 7:00 am in Japan time, and if you pay more than $ 15 (about 1300 yen)Parallella.org"The name is posted as a cooperator on the portal site of this project, and updates such as the progress will be sent. You can also receive a set of Parallella boards and controls for over $ 99 (about 8613 yen), and if you pay $ 5000 you get Parallella's platform 3 months earlier than other users It is possible to use it and it seems that right to use SDK and the latest model developed later will be generated.