The Round Table on Computer Performance Metrics for Export Control: Discussions and Results
Abstract
Rapidly changing microelectronics technologies and their effects on computer architectures have required that the U.S. government evaluate its measures of computer performance for export control. Both the Departments of Defense and Commerce realized the need for determining whether the current metric, the Composite Theoretical Performance (CTP), still provided the necessary measurements for current and future computer systems, particularly in light of architectural trends. A Round Table on Computer Performance Metrics for Export Control was held on October 15, 1997, at IDA. Attending were participants and observers from major firms involved with the manufacturing or support of high performance computers, and representatives from government organizations, including the laboratories. The Round Table found that the CTP was still a relatively effective metric when applied to a single computing element, and that this metric could be refined for measuring systems composed of aggregate computing elements. But advances in microelectronics technology will very likely lead to changes in the design of computers, which may diminish the effectiveness of the CTP. Consequently, the Round Table participants suggested that any export control metric should be reevaluated every two years. Additional findings and issues were identified.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA338389
Entities
People
- Alfred E. Brenner
- Norman R. Howes
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses