Input/output support for processing in a mesh connected computer

A parallel processor, comprising:

• a plurality of processing elements (PEs) arranged in an array to form a PE array having a plurality of rows and columns, such that each PE has a north neighbor, a south neighbor, a west neighbor and an east neighbor, further wherein said PE array encompasses a plurality of sections, each section containing a group of PEs;
• a command generator for broadcasting a control word into the array, wherein said control word is received by each said PE within said array, and is used by each said PE to govern the manner in which it processes information;
• and
• a plurality of registers associated with each of said sections, each for storing a value pertaining to its respective section of said PE array;
• and
• logic for retrieving a value from at least one register and for broadcasting said value only into its respective section of said PE array.

A method for processing data in parallel using a parallel processor, wherein said parallel processor comprises a plurality of processing elements (PEs) arranged in an array to form a PE array, wherein said PE array encompasses a plurality of sections, each section containing a group of PEs, and wherein each section has a register associated therewith, said method comprising the steps of:

• storing a value in each register associated with its respective section;
• retrieving a value from at least one register to produce a retrieved value;
• and
• broadcasting the retrieved value only into the section of the PE array associated with the at least one register.