Process allocation in a processor array using a simulated annealing method

摘要

The invention is a method for allocating processes onto processor elements in a processor array, e.g. using a simulated annealing method, the method comprising: (i) initially, randomly assigning each of the plurality of processes to a respective processor element; (ii) evaluating a cost function for the initial assignment to determine an initial value for the cost function, the result of the evaluation of the cost function indicating the suitability of a placement, wherein the cost function comprises a bandwidth utilisation of a bus interconnecting the processor elements in the processor array or site congestion or site group congestion; (iii) reassigning one or more of the processes to respective different ones of the processor elements to generate a second placement; (iv) evaluating the cost function for the second placement to determine a modified value for the cost function; and (v) accepting or rejecting the reassignments of the one or more processes based on a comparison between the modified value and the initial value.