Mathematical and graphical tools for the creation of computational arrays

A formalism for describing the behavior of computational networks at the algorithmic level is introduced. Formal mathematical models for delay and combinatorial elements establish a direct correspondence between mathematical expressions defining a function, and graphs representing the computational networks which compute that function. Different and often more efficient networks can be developed using transformations on either the graphs or the mathematical expressions describing those networks. These transformations are expressed by formal rules which exist in both the mathematical and the dual graphical form. The concept of a wavefront is presented to simplify the mathematical notation and to enhance understanding of the progression of sets of data elements through a computational network.