Transputer

What is it?

The Inmos Transputer was a British-designed, novel parallel microprocessor architecture from the early 1980s.

The Transputer was unique in that each processor had a built-in simple operating system, memory and four high speed (20 Mbit/s full duplex) bi-directional serial links. The Transputer is essentially a computer system on a chip. The links on the Transputer allow connection to up to four other Transputers or peripherals such as video graphics, floppy and hard disc drives, Ethernet networking and standard RS-232 serial ports.

Amongst other influences, evolutions of the transputer link technology have been promoted by 4Links in SpaceWire technology that is being designed into more than 100 satellites.