A Hardware Prototype of the FFP Machine: A Cooperative Research Project with Washington University

形式函数程序设计（FFP）机是一种新型的计算机 具有将高性能与 编程简单和灵活性。 它是一个直接的实现， 简化计算模型。 程序分解，任务 分配、同步和调度被有效地自动化， FFP机器，因此从程序员的 关心 这项研究的目的是证明，这种功能 程序设计机可以在实际逻辑中实现， 并构建一个先进的原型。 原型将是一个小- 一种主要由多个副本构成的粒度高度并行计算机 两种基本组成部分：L细胞和T细胞。 系统软件将 将开发并评估完成的原型。 帮助 实现这一目标，微电子系统的资源 将使用实验室。 这是与华盛顿的查尔斯·莫尔纳合作的成果 大学 该计划主任认为FFP机器是一个真正的小说 电脑 马戈教授是功能性的领导权威 编程，因此是非常合格的设计和 评估这台机器。 联合首席研究员弗农·奇（Vernon Chi）有一个 在硬件建设项目中有着出色的记录。 合作者 华盛顿大学的查尔斯·莫尔纳以其专业知识而闻名 在异步逻辑;因此，他的努力，从美国国家科学基金会的平行赠款 将支持这项研究。 节目总监强烈 建议为这项提议提供资金。

The Formal Functional Programming (FFP) machine is a novel computer architecture that has the potential of combining high performance with programming ease and flexibility. It is a direct implementation of a reduction model of computation. Program decomposition, task allocation, synchronization and scheduling are efficiently automated in the FFP machine, and therefore are removed from the programmer's concern. The objective of this research is to demonstrate that such a functional programming machine can be implemented in practical logic by designing and constructing an advanced prototype. The prototype will be a small- grain highly parallel computer that is built primarily from many copies of two building blocks: L-cells and T-cells. System software will be developed and the completed prototype will be evaluated. To help accomplish this objective, the resources of the Microelectronic Systems Laboratory will be utilized. This is a collaborative effort with Charles Molnar of Washington University. The program director considers the FFP machine to be a truly novel computer. Professor Mago is a leading authority in functional programming, and consequently is highly qualified to design and evaluate this machine. Co-principal investigator Vernon Chi has an excellent record in hardware-construction projects. Collaborator Charles Molnar at Washington University is well known for his expertise in asynchronous logic; hence, his efforts on a parallel grant from NSF will be supportive to this research. The program director strongly recommends funding this proposal.