Embodiments of the invention relate to a processing cell for use in computing systems. Generally, a processing cell generates remote instructions to be received and processed by at least one other processing cell. A processing cell may include a program counter, an instruction memory, and appropriate elements such as a branch lookup, a branch unit, etc. Alternatively, the processing cell may include a state machine that replaces the program counter and the instruction memory. Embodiments of the invention are able to support the VLIW mode, the MIMD) mode, a mixture of both modes of execution, etc.