Guest Editors' Introduction: Systolic Arrays-From Concept to Implementation

Abstract

Systolic arrays are the result of advances in semiconductor technology and of applications that require extensive throughput. Their realization requires human ingenuity combined with techniques and tools for algorithm development, architecture design, and hardware implementation. Invariably, the first reaction of people who are exposed to the systolic-array concept is one of admiration for the concept's elegance and for its potential for high performance. However, those who next attempt to implement a systolic array for a specific application soon realize that a wealth of subsumed concepts and engineering solutions must be mastered and understood. This special issue attempts to provide insights into the implementation process and to illustrate the different techniques and theories that contribute to the design of systolic arrays.