A distributed-memory parallel computer (the ''alpha 7'') with a peak-performance of more than 1 GFlop was implemented on an area of 300 square inch. The seven processing elements are interconnected using Intelligent Communication - a communication scheme already approved in the MUSIC, a DSP based parallel computer of the Electronics Lab. The combination of processing elements built up using standard components with a fast, low-latency communication scheme implemented, in hardware leads to a powerful parallel computer for the scientist's or engineer's workplace. Several of these computers can be joined via an optical network to form a distributed supercomputer.
