Adaptive interfacing with reconfigurable computers

A reconfigurable computer consists of reconfigurable logic circuits added to a conventional processor to give a computer where both the hardware and the software can be programmed on an application by application basis. Despite significant research, reconfigurable computers have failed to gain widespread acceptance as a high-speed computing replacement for conventional supercomputers. This paper describes the reasons for this failure and argues that the domain of real-time, reactive computer systems provides a better potential application area. An experimental Adaptive Instrument Module, based on reconfigurable reactive computing technology will be flown on the FedSat low earth orbit satellite to test out these ideas.