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Flynn’s Classification

Flyns classification depends on Data stream and Instruction stream.

Data stream- A data stream is the operations performed by the processor on data. A data stream is sequence of data having input, partial or temporary result.

Instruction stream- A instruction stream is the fetch and execution of data stream by the machine.

Based on the multiple data and instruction streams Flynns classify the digital computers in four categories-

  1. 1. Single instruction stream-single data stream (SISD)
  2. 2. Single instruction stream-multiple data stream (SIMD)
  3. 3. Multiple instruction stream-single data stream (MISD)
  4. 4. Multiple instruction stream-multiple data stream (MIMD)

1. SISD: A classical Von Neumann  computers comes under this categories.  

  • It has one instruction stream one data stream.
  • It does one thing at a time.
  • It has capability of manipulating one data stream at a time by executing a single instruction stream.
  • Most serial computers are based on SISD.
  • Instructions may get overlapped during their execution
  • Most SISD computers are pipelined.
  • SISD may have more than one functional units, which are supervised by control unit.

For example- IBM 370 computers.

2.SIMD: SIMD computers have single instruction stream to execute on multiple data stream.

  • It has a single control unit to generate one instruction stream at a time.
  • A single control unit have multiple ALUs (Arithmetic and logic units) to work on multiple data streams simultaneously.
  • It has capability to execute a single instruction stream on multiple data streams.
  • Its also known as vector or array processors machine.
  • In SIMD multiple processing units are supervised by a single control unit.

For example- ILLIAC-IV

3.MISD: MISD computers have multiple instruction stream to execute on single data stream.

  • This type of system is not to build practically, it’s a theoretical approach.
  • It has multiple instruction stream, which operate on sama data stream.
  • The output of one processor become the input of next processor.

4.MIMD– MISD computers have multiple instruction stream to execute on multiple data stream.

  • It has capability of performing several programs simultaneously.
  • It is similar to multiprocessor, in which multiple CPUs are operating independently to be a part of large system.
  • Both multiprocessor and multi computer comes under MIMD.
  • When multiple SISD works together than its called MSISD, which comes under category of MIMD.
  • If number of instructions are high than it’s known as tightly coupled else known as loosely coupled.

For example- Cray-2 computers.

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