Programmed solutions: the step beyond programmed logic [computer architecture]

The task of computer architecture is to match a user application with a base technology. This match is realized by implementing an interpreter of some representation of the application with an efficient realization, measured in cost (area), time (performance) and power. As silicon technology becomes increasingly limited by interconnects, more efficient cellular computers are attractive. Indeed larger cells (compared to FPGAs) seem to offer an improved area × time × power measure. In order to effectively used them, the programmability obstacle must be overcome. The ALGE experiment showed how this might be done by creating a new class of user representation for scientific applications.