Abstract: A memory component on a single integrated circuit includes a RAM, one or more configuration registers, and an associated controller. The behavior of the memory component, including selection from a number of different operating modes, is controllable via configuration register mode bits. The various modes include several transfer-length modes, where each mode corresponds to data transfers of a predetermined length. Based on the mode selection specified by the mode bits, the controller determines the length of the data transfers.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system comprising a core memory (RAM), processing units (CPU.sub.1 -CPU.sub.j), each being provided with a cache memory (MCj), a directory (RG.sub.j) and a management processor (PG.sub.j); the core memory (RAM) is connected to an assembly of shift registers (RDM.sub.1 -RDM.sub.j) in such a way as to permit, in one cycle of the memory, a parallel transfer by reading or writing of data blocks; each cache memory (MC.sub.j) is connected to a shift register (RDP.sub.j)in such a way as to permit a parallel transfer by reading or writing of data blocks. An assembly of series connections, (LS.sub.1 -LS.sub.n) is provided between the assembly of memory shift registers and the assembly of processor shift registers to permit the transfer of data blocks between each pair of associated registers (RDM.sub.j -RDP.sub.j); the addresses of the data blocks can be transmitted between processor (CPU.sub.j) and the core memory (RAM) either by the series connections or by a common address bus (BUS A).