Distributed data flow signal processors

Technology advances such as Very High Speed Integrated Circuits (VHSIC) offer potential revolutionary improvement in programmable signal processor capabilities. However, meeting projected signal processing requirements for radar, sonar and other high-throughput systems requires effective multiprocessor networks. This paper describes a distributed signal processor architecture that is designed to meet these high-throughput, multimode system requirements. The approach supports multiple, functionally specialized, autonomous nodes (processors) interconnected via a flexible, high-speed communication network. A common task scheduling mechanism based on 'data flow' concepts provides an efficient high-level programming and simulation mechanism. A set of Ada syntax compatible task-level programming and simulation software support tools are also described.