Parallel backpropagation learning algorithms on CRAY Y-MP8/864 supercomputer

Parallel backpropagation neural networks learning algorithms have been developed employing the vectorization and microtasking capabilities of vector MIMD machines. They have been implemented in C on CRAY Y-MP/864 supercomputer under UNICOS operating system. The algorithms have been applied to two different domains: engineering design and image recognition, and their performance has been investigated. A maximum speedup of about 6.7 is achieved using eight processors for a large network with 5950 links due to microtasking only. When vectorization is combined with microtasking, a maximum speedup of about 33 is realized using eight processors.