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

形式函数式程序设计(FFP)机是一种新型的计算机体系结构，它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，因此不再是程序员所关心的问题。这项研究的目的是通过设计和构建一个高级原型来证明这样一个功能编程机可以在实际逻辑中实现。原型将是一台小颗粒、高度并行的计算机，它主要由两个组成部分：L细胞和T细胞的许多副本组成。将开发系统软件，并对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。这是与华盛顿大学的查尔斯·莫尔纳合作的成果。项目主管认为FFP机器是一台真正新颖的计算机。Mago教授是函数式编程方面的领先权威，因此非常有资格设计和评估这台机器。联席首席调查员迟维农在硬件建设项目方面有着出色的记录。华盛顿大学的合作者Charles Molnar以他在异步逻辑方面的专业知识而闻名；因此，他在NSF平行拨款上的努力将支持这项研究。项目主管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.