The application of multi-dimensional access memories to ultra high performance signal processing systems

A multi-dimensional access memory (MDAM) allows a word to be accessed from store either in the manner it was entered or as part of a bit slice of centigucus or equally spaced words. The mapping of the natural multi-dimensionality of a signal processing task onto the MDAM structure is shown to be particularly useful when bit serial/bit parallel (BS/BP) processers are employed. Highly efficient and deeply pipelined implementations of MDAM/processer structures are discussed that are well suited to VLSI methodologies, in that very wide bandwidth interconnection networks of high complexity can be achieved at relatively low gate and pin counts (at both super/sub-micron levels). Thus it is possible to form highly parallel multi-MDAM/processer structures that support very high levels of concurrency.