Multiclet
MultiClet is an ongoing innovation project for a microprocessor that claims to be the first post von Neumann, multicellular microprocessor, breaking the paradigm for computing technology that has been in place for more than 60 years. There have been attempts in the past to shift away from the von Neumann architecture, but no one has really taken it to the limit by trying to implement a fully multicellular - dynamically reconfigurable microprocessor. Now 4-cellular dynamically reconfigurable microprocessor is implemented.
History and future prospects
- April, 2013, a Skolkovo resident SPUTNIX signed an agreement for joint development of the MultiClet microprocessor. July, 2013, an article was published by an individual enthusiast who evaluates the function of the MultiClet microprocessor using a development kit sold by the supplier, the article does indeed mention a few challenges working with the product. January, 2014, an announcement is made that the FreeRTOS operating system has been ported to the MultiClet microprocessor, this demonstrates that the microprocessor potentially can perform tasks that makes it suitable for real products. April, 2014, the Kickstarter project Key_P1 MultiClet: Your Powerful Digital Guardian, failed to raise sufficient funding, it is still unclear if MultiClet Corp. intends to go ahead with the product anyway since it is available on their website. Since June, 2014, the MultiClet microprocessor is also reportedly under test in real space conditions onboard SPUTNIX’s microsatellite TabletSat-Aurora.
- March, 2014 Multiclet present first multicellular dynamically reconfigurable microprocessor in Inatronics 2014.
- July, 2014, circumstances have changed for Russia due to 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine. As a result of economic sanctions the issue of substituting imported electronics was raised by several ministries. This can potentially enable the MultiClet project to receive domestic funding, but it also have to compete with the far more tested Elbrus microprocessor which has a history dating back to the Elbrus computers from the Soviet Union, and the more recently announced Baikal CPU.
Financing
August, 2014, a financing request for 80 million US dollars from the Russian-Chinese Investment Fund was made in order to develop a MultiClet based computer.
Technical concept
As opposed to the traditional multi-core processor architecture each individual cell in the microprocessor can communicate with each other, without the need to store intermediate results in memory registers. This removes the concept of assembly language instructions with sequential dependence, in favor of realizing a high level programming language directly on the computer hardware. The smallest indivisible unit is a set of instructions described in the triadic language. Each triad can describe an operation between references to other triads, rather than references to the current contents in memory registers. The result of the sequence of triads is evaluated when selected, e.g. when an operation to write the result to a memory register is issued.Potential benefits
The multicellular microprocessor architecture makes it easier to perform parallel execution because the need to access intermediate memory for each operation is eliminated, thus each cell can operate independently until the result is needed. The microprocessor can operate with reduced performance if one or more of the microprocessor cells become non-functioning. The dynamic reconfiguration of the microprocessor, in case of permanent failures makes it ideal for operation under harsh conditions such as in space applications.Realization of all operations within each statement, without memory involvement improves computing power by 4–5 times and reduces the microprocessor energy consumption by up to 10 times.
Criticism
July, 2012, a critical view was posted on a forum which discusses potential challenges related to scaling of the technology. The main obstacle would be the high level of communication required between the different cells of the multicellular architecture and its implementation using CMOS semiconductor process technology below 180 nanometer.Variants
Available and suggested multicellular processor variants:| Type | Description |
| P | high Рerformance and simultaneous reduction of power consumption |
| C | ultra-low power Consumption and high performance |
| R | dynamic Reconfiguration |
| L | Liveness, fault tolerance |
Models
Available multicellular processor models:| Article | Cells | Clock frequency | Type | Process | Year | Manufacturer |
| MCp041P100104 | 4 | 120 MHz | P1 | 180 nanometer | 2013 | SilTerra Malaysia |
| MCp0411100101 | 4 | 120 MHz | P1 | 180 nanometer | 2013 | SilTerra Malaysia |
| MCp042R100102 | 4 | 80 MHz | R1 | 180 nanometer | 2014 | SilTerra Malaysia |