Comparison-based sort in a reconfigurable array processor having multiple processing elements for sorting array elements

摘要

An array processor includes a managing element having a load streaming unit coupled to multiple processing elements. The load streaming unit provides input data portions to each of a first subset of processing elements and receives output data from each of a second subset of the processing elements based on a comparatively sorted combination of the input data portions. Each processing element is configurable by the managing element to compare input data portions received from the load streaming unit or two or more of the other processing elements. Each processing unit can further select an input data portion to be output data based on the comparison, and in response to selecting the input data portion, remove a queue entry corresponding to the selected input data portion. Each processing element can provide the selected output data portion to the managing element or as an input to one of the processing elements.