Frontiers of Computing Systems Research

Intended for an interdisciplinary audience involved in computer systems research, this second volume presents technical information on emerging topics in the field.

1 Limits of Information Processing Systems.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Physical Nature of Systems.- 1.3 Devices.- 1.4 Information Storage.- 1.5 Communication.- 1.6 Heat Removal.- 1.7 Conclusion.- References.- 2 The Limitations of Interconnections in Providing Communication between an Array of Points.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Some Definitions.- 2.3 System Model.- 2.4 Optical Interconnections.- 2.5 Normally Conducting Interconnections.- 2.6 Repeatered Normally Conducting Interconnections.- 2.7 Superconducting Interconnections.- 2.8 Discussion.- 2.9 Towards Unifying Physical and Algorithmic Approaches.- 2.10 Summary and Conclusions.- A Appendix.- References.- 3 Optics in Multiple-Instruction, Multiple-Data Stream Computers.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Interconnection Networks for Massive Parallel Computers.- 3.3 An Electro-Optic Communication System.- 3.4 A Reconfigurable Optical Interconnection Protocol.- 3.5 Fabrication Processes Suitable to Realize an OELE.- 3.6 A New Class of Opto-Electronic Logic Elements.- 3.7 Future Research in the 'DPP9X' Computer Project.- A Appendix.- References.- 4 Clouds, Computers and Complexity.- 4.1 Interconnection Complexity.- 4.2 Clouds and Computers.- 4.3 Fractals and Entropy.- 4.4 Discussion.- 4.5 Conclusion.- References.- 5 Experimental Studies of Analog Neural Networks.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Adaptive Networks and Analog Electronic Hardware.- 5.3 Optically Controlled Adaptive Network.- 5.4 Network Performance.- 5.5 Signal Prediction.- 5.6 Simulation Results.- 5.7 Scaling Considerations.- 5.8 An Application of an Analog Neural Network.- 5.9 Future Prospects for Analog Neural Networks.- References.- 6 Complex Behavior in Networks with Distributed Routing.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Physical Model of Distributed Networks.- 6.3 DynamicBehavior.- 6.4 Phase Transition in Mesh Networks.- 6.5 Conclusions.- References.- 7 New Approaches in System-Level Diagnosis.- 7.1 Fault Diagnosis in Multi-Processor Systems.- 7.2 System-Level Diagnosis.- 7.3 Classification of Diagnosable Systems.- 7.4 Diagnosability Algorithms.- 7.5 Diagnosis Algorithms.- 7.6 Summary and Conclusions.- References.