Systolic Array Processor Implementation

TL;DR: The hardware for a programmable, reconfigurable systolic array testbed, implemented with presently available integrated circuits and capable of 32-bit floating-point arithmetic is described.

Abstract: A combination of systolic array processing techniques and VLSI fabrication promises to increase signal-processing capabilities by a factor of 100 or more. To achieve a timely marriage of algorithms and hardware, both must be developed concurrently. This article describes the hardware for a programmable, reconfigurable systolic array testbed, implemented with presently available integrated circuits and capable of 32-bit floating-point arithmetic. While this hardware presently requires a small printed circuit board for each processing element, in a few years one or two custom VLSI chips could be used instead, yielding a smaller, faster systolic array processor. This testbed will aid in the evaluation of the many parameters which will have to be optimized in order to design these custom chips.