Data Manipulating Functions in Parallel Processors and Their Implementations

• Authors: Tse-Yun Feng
• Venue: IEEE Transactions on Computers
• Year: 1974

This paper shows that there exists a class of functions called data manipulating functions (DMF's), in sequential as well as paralel processors. The circuits used to achieve these functions can be considered to form an independent functional block, called a data manipulator. A basic organization applicable to both sequential and parallel processors is then suggested. The main deviation of a parallel processor orgaization from the conventional Von Neumann organization is seen to be in the bit-slice (bis) manipulating functions. A comprehensive set of bis manipulating functions from the categories of permuting, replicating, spacing and masking is given. Implementation of the last category, the masking functions, is usually through a mask register by defining its content (mask pattern). It is found that for many operations the required mask patterns are periodic and/or monotonic. The upper bounds of generating these patterns are found. The techniques and designs of two data manipulators for the first three categories of DMF's (permuting, replicating, spacing) are given. Periodic and monotonic mask patterns are also used to help in implementing some of these functions. In addition, it is shown that the data manipulator designs presented in this paper are extremely flexible to suit the requirements of various parallel processors.