A concurrent computer architecture and a ring based implementation

ABSTRACT

A multi-instruction-multi-data stream computer architecture is presented which is aimed at supporting highly concurrent general-purpose computation. The proposed machine is organised as a set of autonomous resources, each having direct access to a common intercommunication medium which is implemented as a rotating ring. The machine language is based on a generalised concept of control which provides an alternative to the data flow organisation for highly concurrent programming. The progress of a concurrent computation is characterised by the flow of packets of work through resources via the ring. This information flow is organised in such a way as to optimise concurrent operation of the resources and to simplify allocation and intercommunication. Initial simulation results are presented to show the feasibility of the architecture.

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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: Multiple-instruction-stream, multiple-data-stream processors (MIMD)

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.5 Local and Wide-Area Networks
          Subjects: Token rings

  D. Software
  D.1 PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES
      D.1.3 Concurrent Programming

General Terms:
Design, Languages, Performance