PILOT, the NBS multicomputer system

Abstract

At The National Bureau of Standards (NBS), a new large-scale digital system has been designed for carrying out a wide range of experimental investigations that are of special importance to the Government. The system can be utilized for investigating new or stringent applications of these general types: 1. data-processing applications, in which the system can be used for performing accounting and information-retrieval operations for management purposes; 2. mathematical applications, in which the system, can be used for performing mathematical calculations for scientific purposes, including scientific data-reduction; 3. control applications, in which the system can be used for performing realtime control and simulation operations, in conjunction with analog computer facilities or in conjunction with other instrument installations, remotely located if necessary; and 4. network applications, in which the system can be used in conjunction with other digital computer facilities, forming an interconnected communication network in which all the machines can work together collaboratively on large-scale problems that are beyond the reach of any single machine.