A Modular Computer With Petri Net Array Control

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a computer system with modular functional units which establishes data and control paths dynamically by means of a programmable Petri net array. The input program control flow and the desired allocation of hardware resorces are specified by means of a Petri net and the array by realizing this net controls the data flow between the functional unit. The system exploits parallelism present in the hardware and the program to the extent specified by the programmer. Some of the advantages of the present approach are that the program status is reflected by the array status, and hence can be monitored by observing the latter and that precise resource allocation/scheduling can be enforced by the user.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.1 PROCESSOR ARCHITECTURES
      C.1.2 Multiple Data Stream Architectures (Multiprocessors)
          Subjects: Array and vector processors

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.2 Design Tools and Techniques
          Subjects: Petri nets

General Terms:
Design

Keywords:
Modular computers, Parallel computer architecture, Petri nets, Reconfigurable computers