Cell Seminar

The Cell processor, used in the Playstation 3, has features which make it very
interesting for High-Performance Computing. To get the full benefit of the
Cell, software must be written to take advantage of its 6-8 vector
co-processors, the SPEs (Synergistic Processing Engines).

In this Cell seminar series, we will give a hands-on introduction to
programming the Cell processor. The department has acquired a number of
Playstations, so we can run code directly on them; and there is also a
simulated environment available.

We will start by looking at how to compile and run programs on the Cell and
its SPEs, then look at memory transfer, communication and synchronisation,
vector/SIMD programming, profiling and performance optimisation.

To participate, you should be familiar with C or C++. If you want the
hands-on experience, you should also bring a laptop, preferably with Linux
(and networking), but you may get by with a Windows system with a SSH
program. Details will be given later.

First meeting will be Monday, October 8th, at 12:15-14:00, most likely in 'Akvariet', 4.etg, HIB.

If you are interested in participating, please let me (anya at ii.uib.no) know,
so I can set up computer access and provide you with practical information.

Monday, October 8th: Introduction, Make/Building, Simple Communication and Vectors (Read notes)
Monday, October 22th: SIMD / Vector Instructions (Read notes)

Useful documents: