8.8 Summary
Multiprocessors provide both absolute performance and efficiency. They do, however, introduce new levels of system complexity. Programming multiprocessors requires both new programming models and development methodologies. Multiprocessors are often heterogeneous so that different parts of an application can be mapped to specialized processing elements. A programmable processing element may be specialized by, for example, adding new instructions. Accelerators are processing elements designed to perform very specific tasks. When adding accelerators to the system, we must be sure that the system can send data to and receive data from the rest of the system at the required rates.
What we Learned
• Multiprocessors can help improve real-time ...
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