Integrated cellular array parallel processor
AssigneeHoneywell Inc.
InventorsCraig L. Carrison, James D. Joseph, Patrenahalli M. Narendra
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Abstract
A monolithic integrated circuit is provided in which signals from concurrently operating information sources are each provided to a corresponding signal processing cell in an array thereof. These cells can each communicate directly with surrounding nearest neighbor cells both to and from. Each such signal processing cell is capable of being directed in parallel to perform selected signal processing operations including operations involving data from many cells. Communications between cells can be effected using charge coupled devices, and the signal processing operations in a cell can be performed by a floating gate regenerator.
Claims67
A monolithic integrated circuit parallel signal processing system for processing information source signals, and entities derived therefrom, said system comprising:
- a semiconductor material body of a first conductivity type except in selected regions thereof, said semiconductor material body having a first major surface;
- a plurality of signals processing cells each of which is located to some extent in said semiconductor material body substantially adjacent to said first major surface in an array adjacent said major surface such that each of said plurality of signal processing cells corresponds to a plurality of immediately neighboring signal processing cells thereabout spaced apart from that corresponding one of said plurality of signal processing cells but which to a substantial degree together surround that corresponding one of said plurality of signal processing cells, where at least two of said plurality of signal processing cells serve as part of such neighboring signal processing cells with respect to one another, each of said plurality of signal processing cells being capable of receiving at least some kinds of signals, each of said plurality of signal processing cells being capable of being directed to perform, and of performing, a sequence of signal processing operations selected from a set of signal processing operations in a selectable order and of a selectable number upon at least some kinds of any of said signals that can be received, as aforesaid, and each of said plurality of said signal processing cells being capable of providing signals, representing results of that said signal processing cell performing said sequence, as aforesaid;
- and
- an intercellular communication means provided in said monolithic integrated circuit including portions thereof extending between each of said plurality of signal processing cells and said plurality of neighboring signal processing cells to which it corresponds and which is capable of transmitting directly signals to each of said plurality of signal processing cells from said plurality of neighboring signal processing cells to which it corresponds.
A monolithic integrated circuit parallel signal processing system for processing signal samples, and entities derived therefrom, said samples and derived entities formed as distinct charge aggregations, said system comprising:
- a semiconductor material body of a first conductivity type except in selected regions thereof including first, second, third and fourth selected regions, said semiconductor material body having a first major surface;
- an intercellular communications mesh, substantially adjacent said first major surface, having a plurality of connecting portions placed between cell locations with each said connecting portion also occurring between two intersection locations where each said intersection location is such that a plurality of said connecting portions are joined thereby, each said connecting portion comprising a charge-transfer device capable of substantially translating distinct charge aggregations and with a plurality of said cell locations each being completely surrounded by certain of said connecting portions and said intersection locations;
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- a plurality of signal processing cells each of which is located at a corresponding one of said cell locations, each said signal processing cell being capable of receiving distinct charge aggregations from a said connecting portion charge-transfer device bounding at least in part a said cell location corresponding to that said signal processing cell, each said signal processing cell being capable of performing a selected sequence of a selected number of signal processing operations upon distinct charge aggregations received by that said signal processing cell as aforesaid, and each said signal processing cell being capable of transferring distinct charge aggregations, representing results of that said signal processing cell performing said selected sequence, as aforesaid, to a said connecting portion charge-transfer device bounding at least in part a said cell location corresponding to that said signal processing cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.