Bit level processor arrays: current architectures and a design and programming tool

The authors review bit-level processor arrays and the common characteristics that make them ideal for VLSI and high-speed computations. Emphasis is on arrays that have been implemented rather than proposed architectures. The essential features shared by these arrays, and those that differentiate them are characterized and used to develop a taxonomy for bit-level processor arrays. The authors also discuss programming tools, with an emphasis on RAB, a large program used to map a class of algorithms written in C onto bit-level processor arrays. The basic components and extensions to RAB are discussed. Directions of current research and design of bit-level processor array architectures and their programming environments are also briefly discussed.<>