Abstract: Apparatus and method for broadcasting a data word from a row of broadcasting processing elements of a two-dimensional parallel processing system along the columns thereof to other rows of receiving elements in the system is disclosed. The parallel processing system is of the SIMD type, each such element being connected to at least communicate bits to the element adjacent thereto in its column. The sequence of instructions applied to the processing elements is effective to cause the efficient broadcast of the data word, with each processing element turning off upon receiving the complete data word in a shift register therein.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for interconnecting the processing cells of a parallel processing machine configured in a two-dimensional rectangular array in which each cell includes a plurality of ports, each port having a unique port address, and a plurality of cells have similarly addressed ports. The cells are interconnected, via the cell ports, to form cell clusters having a central cell and eight neighboring cells such that a plurality of neighboring cells share a common connection to the central cell and further such that no two similarly addressed ports are coupled to one another. During a data transfer operation, in accordance with the single instruction multiple data (SIMD) format, each cell transmits data from one port and receives data from another port such that all cells transmit data from similarly addressed ports and receive data at similarly addressed ports to provide data transfer throughout the array in a uniform direction.