Advanced Computation Group
Encyclopedia
The Advanced Computation Group (ACG) is a group within Apple Inc. The ACG researches algorithms and high-performance issues relevant to Apple technology. ACG concentrates on Mac OS X
for scientific applications, vectorization, tutorials, algorithm implementations for specific Apple products and joint research and development
with outside partners.
One particularly high-profile project of the ACG is Apple/Genentech BLAST
(an algorithm for comparing biological sequences, such as the amino-acid sequences of different proteins) which runs several times faster on Power Mac and Xserve
than generic BLAST runs on other platforms. This implementation is open source software developed in cooperation with Genentech
.
The ACG also developed Apple's Xgrid
, which is clustering
and distributed computing
software for Macintosh computers, allowing processor
-intensive applications to borrow processing power from other computers on their network.
Much of the work of the ACG has been directed toward advanced uses of PowerPC
processors which have run Macintosh computers since the 1990s. Now that Apple has completed their transition to Intel processors, the ACG's work is increasingly focused on that new platform.
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
for scientific applications, vectorization, tutorials, algorithm implementations for specific Apple products and joint research and development
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
with outside partners.
One particularly high-profile project of the ACG is Apple/Genentech BLAST
BLAST
In bioinformatics, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, or BLAST, is an algorithm for comparing primary biological sequence information, such as the amino-acid sequences of different proteins or the nucleotides of DNA sequences...
(an algorithm for comparing biological sequences, such as the amino-acid sequences of different proteins) which runs several times faster on Power Mac and Xserve
Xserve
Xserve was a line of rack unit computers designed by Apple Inc. for use as servers. When the Xserve was introduced in 2002, it was Apple's first designated server hardware design since the Apple Network Server in 1996...
than generic BLAST runs on other platforms. This implementation is open source software developed in cooperation with Genentech
Genentech
Genentech Inc., or Genetic Engineering Technology, Inc., is a biotechnology corporation, founded in 1976 by venture capitalist Robert A. Swanson and biochemist Dr. Herbert Boyer. Trailing the founding of Cetus by five years, it was an important step in the evolution of the biotechnology industry...
.
The ACG also developed Apple's Xgrid
Xgrid
Xgrid is a proprietary software program and distributed computing protocol developed by the Advanced Computation Group subdivision of Apple Inc that allows networked computers to contribute to a single task....
, which is clustering
Clustering
Clustering can refer to the following:In demographics:* Clustering , the gathering of various populations based on factors such as ethnicity, economics or religion.In graph theory:...
and distributed computing
Distributed computing
Distributed computing is a field of computer science that studies distributed systems. A distributed system consists of multiple autonomous computers that communicate through a computer network. The computers interact with each other in order to achieve a common goal...
software for Macintosh computers, allowing processor
Central processing unit
The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
-intensive applications to borrow processing power from other computers on their network.
Much of the work of the ACG has been directed toward advanced uses of PowerPC
PowerPC
PowerPC is a RISC architecture created by the 1991 Apple–IBM–Motorola alliance, known as AIM...
processors which have run Macintosh computers since the 1990s. Now that Apple has completed their transition to Intel processors, the ACG's work is increasingly focused on that new platform.
External links
- ACG web site
- ACG archive -primarily concerned with PPC architecture, but much is also applicable to Intel architecture
- A/G BLAST