A computer architecture for highly parallel signal processing

Abstract

A computer of unusual architecture is described that achieves highly parallel operation through use of a data-flow program representation. The machine is especially suited for signal processing computations such as waveform generation, modulation, and filtering, in which a group of operations must be performed once for each sample of the signals being processed. The difficulties of processor switching and memory/processor interconnection arising in attempts to adapt Von Neuman type computers for parallel operation are avoided by an organization in which sections of the machine communicate through transmission of information packets, and delays in packet transmission do not compromise effective utilization of the hardware. The design concept is especially suited to implementation using asynchronous logic and large-scale integrated circuits. Application of the concepts to generalized data-flow program languages is under study.