Flexible parallel FPGA-based architectures with ArMen

ArMen is a parallel machine in which each node is coupled to an FPGA ring. The underlying idea is to complement an MIMD architecture with global coprocessors providing extra control and processing properties. The use of regular hardware patterns such as cellular automata or pipelines allows high level definitions of the coprocessors. The results are fast prototyping possibilities for specific applications such as image processing or industrial control. Basic realizations are described. Changing from an FPGA technology to a VLSI one provider benefits with respect to cost and performance, without any effort at the specification level. The MADMACS pattern generator can be used to fold several FPGA configurations into the same VLSI circuit.<>