The torus: an exercise in constructing a processing surface

A "Processing Surface" is defined as a large, dense, and regular arrangement of processor and storage modules on a two-dimensional surface, e.g. a VLSI chip. A general method is described for distributing parallel recursive computations over such a surface. Scope rules enforcing the "locality" of variables and procedure parameters are introduced in the programming language. These rules and a particular interconnection of the modules on the surface make it possible to transmit parameter and variable values between modules without using extraneous communication actions. The choice of the Processing Surface topology for binary recursive computations is discussed and a torus-like topology is chosen

Quasi-Delay-Insensitive Circuits are Turing-Complete

Quasi-delay-insensitive (QDI) circuits are those whose correct operation does not depend on the delays of operators or wires, except for certain wires that form isochronic forks. In this paper we show that quasi-delay-insensitivity, stability and noninterference, and strong confluence are equivalent properties of a computation. In particular, this shows that QDI computations are deterministic. We show that the class of Turing-computable functions have QDI implementations by constructing a QDI Turing machine

Asynchronous Nano-Electronics: Preliminary Investigation

This paper is a preliminary investigation in implementing asynchronous QDI logic in molecular nano-electronics, taking into account the restricted geometry, the lack of control on transistor strengths, the high timing variations. We show that the main building blocks of QDI logic can be successfully implemented; we illustrate the approach with the layout of an adder stage. The proposed techniques to improve the reliability of QDI apply to nano-CMOS as well

Asynchronous techniques for system-on-chip design

SoC design will require asynchronous techniques as the large parameter variations across the chip will make it impossible to control delays in clock networks and other global signals efficiently. Initially, SoCs will be globally asynchronous and locally synchronous (GALS). But the complexity of the numerous asynchronous/synchronous interfaces required in a GALS will eventually lead to entirely asynchronous solutions. This paper introduces the main design principles, methods, and building blocks for asynchronous VLSI systems, with an emphasis on communication and synchronization. Asynchronous circuits with the only delay assumption of isochronic forks are called quasi-delay-insensitive (QDI). QDI is used in the paper as the basis for asynchronous logic. The paper discusses asynchronous handshake protocols for communication and the notion of validity/neutrality tests, and completion tree. Basic building blocks for sequencing, storage, function evaluation, and buses are described, and two alternative methods for the implementation of an arbitrary computation are explained. Issues of arbitration, and synchronization play an important role in complex distributed systems and especially in GALS. The two main asynchronous/synchronous interfaces needed in GALS-one based on synchronizer, the other on stoppable clock-are described and analyzed

Asynchronous Datapaths and the Design of an Asynchronous Adder

This paper presents a general method for designing delay insensitive datapath circuits. Its emphasis is on the formal derivation of a circuit from its specification. We discuss the properties required in a code that is used to transmit data asynchronously, and we introduce such a code. We introduce a general method (in the form of a theorem) for distributing the evaluation of a function over a number of concurrent cells. This method requires that the code be "distributive." We apply the method to the familiar example of a ripple-carry adder, and we give a CMOS implementation of the adder

25 Years Ago: The First Asynchronous Microprocessor

Twenty-five years ago, in December 1988, my research group at Caltech submitted the world’s first asynchronous (“clockless”) microprocessor design for fabrication to MOSIS. We received the chips in early 1989; testing started in February 1989. The chips were found fully functional on first silicon. The results were presented at the Decennial Caltech VLSI Conference in March of the same year. The first entirely asynchronous microprocessor had been designed and successfully fabricated. As the technology finally reaches industry, and with the benefit of a quarter-century hindsight, here is a recollection of this landmark project

Asynchronous logic for high variability nano-CMOS

At the nanoscale level, parameter variations in fabricated devices cause extreme variability in delay. Delay variations are also the main issue in subthreshold operation. Consequently, asynchronous logic seems an ideal, and probably unavoidable choice, for the design of digital circuits in nano CMOS or other emerging technologies. This paper examines the robustness of one particular asynchronous logic: quasi-delay insensitive or QDI. We identify the three components of this logic that can be affected by extreme variability: staticizer, isochronic fork, and rings. We show that staticizers can be eliminated, and isochronic forks and rings can be made arbitrarily robust to timing variations

A 100-MIPS GaAs asynchronous microprocessor

The authors describe how they ported an asynchronous microprocessor previously implemented in CMOS to gallium arsenide, using a technology-independent asynchronous design technique. They introduce new circuits including a sense-amplifier, a completion detection circuit, and a general circuit structure for operators specified by production rules. The authors used and tested these circuits in a variety of designs

Testing Delay-Insensitive Circuits

We show that a single stuck-at fault in a non-redundant delay-insensitive circuit results in a transition either not taking place or firing prematurely, or both, during an execution of the circuit. A transition not taking place can be tested easily, as this always prevents a transition on a primary output from taking place. A premature firing can also be tested but the addition of testing points may be required to enforce the premature firing and to propagate the transition to a primary output. Hence all single stuck-at faults are testable. All test sequences can be generated from the high-level specification of the circuit. The circuits are hazard-free in normal operation and during the tests