Efficient Parallel Embedded Computing through Look-Ahead Configured Dynamic Inter-Processor Connections

A new kind of the look-ahead reconfigurable multiprocessor embedded systems together with the necessary program structuring algorithms are presented and discussed. The new system architecture for execution of dedicated parallel programs is based on the look-ahead dynamic reconfiguration of inter-processor connections in redundant network resources such as multiple connection crossbar switches and partitioned processor communication link sets. The discussed approach enables reducing inter-processor connection reconfiguration time overheads, which is particularly important in modern parallel systems based on user-level communication. Automatic program structuring methods for the assumed system architecture are proposed. Experimental results with structuring of parallel numerical programs (Strassen matrix multiplication) are reported. The experiments compare the strategies of the look ahead connection reconfiguration based on the use of multiple crossbar switches with the strategy of providing processors with larger sets of communication links partitioned into a subset used for current program execution and a subset used for anticipated connection setting