Performance evaluation of a dataflow architecture

The formulation and validation of an analytical approach for the performance evaluation of the Manchester dataflow computer is discussed. The analytical approach is based on closed queuing network models. The average parallelism of the dataflow graph being executed on the dataflow architecture is shown to be related to the population of the closed network. The model of the dataflow computer is validated by comparing the analytical results to those obtained from the prototype Manchester dataflow computer and from simulation. The bottleneck centers in the prototype machine have been identified through the model, and various architectural modifications have been investigated from performance considerations.<
>