Static dataflow computer with a plurality of control structures

Abstract

An associative architecture for a static data flow processing system comprises a functional computation unit in which data processing operations are executed, a data processing execution control structure (template) storage and control unit and communication channels through which the functional computation unit and the template storage and control unit communicate with one another. The template storage and control unit controls the supply of data to be processed by the functional computation unit and includes memory for storing a plurality of templates. Each template storage and control unit assembles data processing messages for application to a first of the communication channels for controlling the execution of a data processing operation by the functional computation unit. Each message contains the address of that template to which the result of the data processing operation is returned and stored in a return buffer, an opcode and either the data directly or the address of the template that contains the data to be processed by the functional computation unit. Each template also stores the status of a data processing execution cycle. Each template continuously monitors the communications channels for its address and, upon detecting its address, controllably interfaces prescribed information associated with the execution of a data processing operation with respect to the communication channels.