The Inmos Transputer Microprocessor - A Design for Parallel Computing

About this Artwork This artwork is a mixed media display celebrating the Inmos Transputer. The Inmos Transputer was a revolutionary microprocessor that has influenced computer design for generations. In the 1980’s, there was a concern that microprocessors were nearing their limits in terms of density and speed. The Transputer was designed to be a fundamental building block of a parallel processing computer. In addition to having the basic Control Unit and Arithmetic & Logic Units of traditional microprocessors, the Transputer had built-in RAM, RAM controller, and bus controller. Most importantly, the Transputer provided high-speed serial communications that allowed each processor to directly connect to four other processors. These links allowed large parallel computing networks to be implemented. This artwork includes 3 major items. It has a large image of an Inmos Transputer chip. On the back are the artist’s signature and a narrative describing the artwork and the Transputer. The