A large scale integration based, signal processor -- its application and possible evolution
W. L. Harland, R. Carvell · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 1982
The Micro-Vector Processor (MVP) is designed for applications ranging from expendable single-processor weapons and buoys to large multiprocessor federated systems. Its design is centered on multiple applications, easy reprogrammability, and low-power operation. These design goals were achieved with an architecture that provides high throughput at moderate clock rates and maximum use of large-scale integration (LSI) integrated circuits; four new LSI circuits implement 96 percent of the logic in the MVP's vector unit. The MVP software design includes support for both application programming in high-level language and implementation of signal-processing algorithms in a symbolic microprogramming language. These two programmability levels reduce software costs for new applications and for changing requirements. Two examples are used to illustrate MVP applications: cruise missile guidance and a multichannel acoustic beamformer. The MVP architecture, or some close derivative, is considered suitable for reimplementation in very large-scale integration (VLSI).