The Computer Architecture Group (ATC) of the University of Cantabria was constituted in 1991. The main research areas in which the Group is working are analysis, design, and evaluation of parallel computers, covering the principal aspects from their programming to the lower hardware levels. Actually , the principal research projects can be grouped in three broad categories: Parallel Processing, Interconnection Networks and Design and Evaluation of Message Routers :

• Interconnection subsystem of massively parallel machines (MPPs). Today, the structure of this type of parallel machines is based on groups of nodes composed of classic computers (CPU, memory and I/O devices) interconnected through a network. The needs of communication among processes in this type of machines mean that the network performance is a fundamental parameter in the complete system characteristics. From its origin, the CAT group has been studying these interconnection networks, presenting new proposals concerning topology, routing and internal structure of message routers. This work is based on both analytical models and network simulators of our own construction.
   
• Design and evaluation of message routers. This topic deals with the design and development of message routers at the hardware level using description languages like Verilog and VHDL. The use of these languages permits us to obtain semi-custom designs of routers and their main performance parameters; these parameters can be used in simulators of interconnection networks with a minor abstraction level, thus allowing a better understanding of the behaviour of a router when it is embedded in a complete system.
   
• Parallel Processing. In this topic methods of programming the three commercial models of parallel architectures are studied: symmetrical multiprocessor shared memory machines, parallel architectures of distributed memory and networks of workstations.