ALIAS environment: A design tool for application specific arrays

We present a methodology for synthesis of application specific arrays for matrix computations. The system, called ALIAS (algorithms into arrays synthesizer), is an interactive design environment facilitating automated mapping between matrix algorithms and hardware implementations. Our method, which incorporates and integrates ideas from past studies and new transformational notations, provides a basis for the efficient design of useful arrays. ALIAS consists of three main modules: MAP (matrix algorithm parser), DIP (display interface program), and DM (descriptor manipulator). MAP takes inputs which are the single-assignment equivalents of matrix algorithms and produces descriptors for the dependency graphs. DIP displays the MMG (multi-mesh graph) structure to the interactive user. DER module then applies drivers which are essentially a set of transformation functions to the descriptors in an attempt to derive the hardware implementations of the algorithm.