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

形式函数编程 (FFP) 机是一种新颖的计算机体系结构，具有将高性能与编程简便性和灵活性相结合的潜力。 它是计算简化模型的直接实现。 程序分解、任务分配、同步和调度在FFP机器中被有效地自动化，因此免除了程序员的关注。 本研究的目的是证明这种功能编程机可以通过设计和构建高级原型以实际逻辑实现。 该原型将是一台小颗粒高度并行计算机，主要由两个构建块的许多副本构建：L 细胞和 T 细胞。 将开发系统软件并对已完成的原型进行评估。 为了帮助实现这一目标，将利用微电子系统实验室的资源。 这是与华盛顿大学查尔斯·莫尔纳 (Charles Molnar) 的合作成果。 项目主管认为 FFP 机器是一台真正新颖的计算机。 Mago 教授是函数式编程领域的权威，因此非常有资格设计和评估该机器。 联合首席研究员 Vernon Chi 在硬件建设项目方面拥有出色的记录。 华盛顿大学的合作者 Charles Molnar 因其在异步逻辑方面的专业知识而闻名。因此，他获得国家科学基金会平行资助的努力将支持这项研究。 项目主管强烈建议资助该提案。

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.