Regular Array Processors: Asynchronous Versus Clocked Control

Authors

Mark A. Franklin, Washington University in St. LouisFollow
Donald F. Wann, Washington University in St. Louis
Sanjay Dhar, Washington University in St. Louis

Document Type

Technical Report

Publication Date

1983-03-01

Filename

WUCS-83-2.pdf

Technical Report Number

WUCS-83-2

Abstract

Parallel computing structures consisting of large numbers of processors require synchronization so that data communication among processors is possible. Two basic methods of data synchronization, synchronous and asynchronous, are considered. The synchronous or clocked method uses a global clock for synchronization. Clock skew and clock line charge and discharge times both increase with system size. This decreases the data rates achievable and prevents the design of highly modular systems. The asynchronous method has no global control structure and results in a modular and expandable system with the data rate being independent of system size. It is however pin intensive. These two types of control schemes are modelled and the data rates achievable are determined and compared.

Comments

Permanent URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.7936/K76Q1VJ7

Recommended Citation

Franklin, Mark A.; Wann, Donald F.; and Dhar, Sanjay, "Regular Array Processors: Asynchronous Versus Clocked Control" Report Number: WUCS-83-2 (1983). All Computer Science and Engineering Research.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cse_research/855