Sliding Algorithm for Reconfigurable Arrays of Processors

Abstract

Electronic systems with intrinsic adaptive and evolvable features can potentially significantly increase functionality of a system. To achieve high level of adaptivity the system must be able to modify its internal configuration under changing environmental conditions without interrupting operation. This can be achieved through dynamic reconfiguration. Dynamic reconfiguration of arrays of processors often relies on the specialized architectures with the built-in reconfiguration capacities. Specialized architectures suffer from lack of flexibility and high cost. Reconfiguration algorithms for highly practical general purpose architectures such as rectangular grid of processors are highly complex and, thus, unsuitable for dynamic reconfiguration. This paper proposes a systematic approach to reconfigurable architectures. The general framework for reconfiguration algorithms design is presented based on discrete Morse functions and discrete vector fields on cellular complexes.