Self-Timed Data Transmission in Massively Parallel Computing Systems

Local processes in massively parallel computing systems can be coordinated by asynchronous system of global synchronization via handshake using current sensors for detection of the transient processes completion. The known current sensors are considered, the best one is analyzed, and its shortcomings are revealed. Current sensor with wide range of the measured current is suggested. The principles of control in circuits with current sensors are developed. Self-timed data exchange between local processes of the system is discussed. Transmission/reception circuits with single-wire bit handshake are demonstrated. Their transmission rate is no worse than that of double-wire circuits. They allow one to transmit combinations of n-bit code by n + 2 communication lines. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Integrated Computer-Aided Engineering, Vol. 4( I ), 47-65, January 1997.