GPU Workbench is a complete platform for developing and deploying real-time applications that use NVIDIA CUDA and ATI Stream technology. Based on the latest available GPU and CPU products, GPU Workbench systems are powered by Concurrent’s RedHawk Linux operating system specially optimized for real-time CUDA performance. GPU Workbench can be configured with up to 4 Teraflops of double-precision compute power.
GPU technology is widely used by scientists and engineers in applications that require massive parallel processing. Compute intensive processes in molecular biology, cosmology, particle physics, radar and sonar data analysis, economics, medical imaging and many other disciplines can now execute in a small fraction of the time needed to run them on a CPU. In addition to providing a CUDA platform, GPU Workbench offers key features for time-critical CUDA applications that require guaranteed hard real-time response to external events.
At the heart of each GPU Workbench solution is Concurrent’s RedHawk Linux real-time operating system. Compatible with the popular Red Hat® Linux distribution, RedHawk provides high I/O throughput, fast response to external events, and optimized interprocess communication and NUMA memory management. RedHawk is the ideal Linux environment for complex real-time CUDA applications.
Proprietary GPU drivers supplied by NVIDIA and ATI frequently make demands upon kernel resources that can dramatically impact real-time performance. RedHawk addresses these special challenges and guarantees the performance of real-time processes when CUDA processes are concurrently running on a system. RedHawk Linux, which includes the latest version of the NVIDIA CUDA SDK, reduces the process dispatch latency of real-time processes in CUDA applications from hundreds of microseconds to under 20 microseconds. RedHawk minimizes jitter and provides better overall performance.
GPU Workbench supports Concurrent’s powerful NightStar development tool kit. Users can debug, analyze, monitor, schedule and tune their real-time applications on GPU Workbench systems or remotely from a PC or laptop. Each tool runs on the target system non-intrusively, thus preserving the execution behavior of the real-time application.
The NightTrace tool’s Application Illumination feature allows programmers to automatically trace CUDA API function calls and examine the values of parameters passed and returned as well as get detailed timing analysis of kernel executions. NightTrace also permits a user to graphically view the interaction between the Linux kernel and multiple application threads in real-time. In addition, NightTrace allows users to add trace points into the CUDA kernels that are executed by the GPU.
Concurrent offers fully customized real-time GPU Workbench platforms that can contain up to eight of the latest NVIDIA Tesla and graphics cards and up to four multi-core CPUs. Systems come in standard tower, rackmount or desktop enclosures with up to 18 integral PCIe, PCI-X or PCI slots and optional expansion chassis. Configurations can contain up to sixteen disk drives with optional RAID capability. Multiple GPU Workbench systems can be interconnected using gigabit and 10 gigabit Ethernet or high-speed fabrics.
The Real-time Clock & Interrupt Module (RCIM) is a multifunction PCI or PCIe card designed for time-critical applications that require rapid response to external events. The RCIM includes a synchronized clock readable by multiple GPU Workbench systems, eight programmable timers, and twelve input and twelve output external interrupt lines
An optional, on-board GPS module is available to align the RCIM's synchronized clock to GPS standard time. One GPS-equipped RCIM can synchronize multiple systems in a cabled RCIM chain, or multiple systems equipped with the GPS module can operate from a common time base without any cable connections between the systems. POSIX timers based on absolute GPS time can be used to simultaneously start the execution of programs on systems which are not physically connected.
Concurrent’s Special Systems group is available to design and deliver customized GPU Workbench configurations for customers who require complete competitive solutions for demanding real-time applications. Concurrent engineers can provide special packaging including peripherals and enclosures, integrate third-party I/O cards, develop and integrate RedHawk Linux drivers, and perform application rehosting. Hardware and software is designed and developed to exact customer specifications.