Directory of Asynchronous Resources

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Synchronous processors have one central clock, which synchronizes and coordinates the progress of operations throughout a processor. Synonym: clocked. All parts and stages work to its unifying beat signal, at the same rate, in lock step, handing off work to the next stage as the clock ticks. Almost all computers made, and in use, are synchronous. Clock speed is a primary performance trait. For personal computers, it is used as an identifier and for marketing, shown in units of megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). Asynchronous processors have no clock. Synonyms: asynchronous logic, clockless, unclocked; self-timed; hand-shaking. All parts and stages work independently, handing off work to the next stage as it is finished. Different stages stop between tasks. All stages can work at the same or different rates. This is more complex to implement, but lowers power use, current peaks, and emitted heat and electromagnetism (raising security). Only a small fraction of computers made, and fewer in use, mainly in embedded systems, are asynchronous.

Subcategories

• Sutherland, Ivan

Resources in This Category

• Caltech Asynchronous VLSI Group

  http://www.async.caltech.edu/
  Research focusing on methods and tools for designing high-performance and low-energy asynchronous digital circuits. Home of MiniMIPS asynchronous MIPS R3000 RISC processor. [Department of Computer Science, Caltech]

• Computer Clocks Wind Down

  http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/76931/Computer_Clocks_Wind_Down?taxonomyId=012
  It's growing harder and more costly to make computer clocks work right. The solution may be to eliminate clocks. Benefits: more performance, reliability; lower cost. But commercialization will be hard. [Computerworld]

• Freeing Computers from the Constraints of Time

  http://www.spacedaily.com/news/time-02b.html
  Time is running out for the clocks that make our computers tick as scientists develop a new generation of hardware and software based on the simpler designs of the 1950s. [SpaceDaily]

• Nanocomputer Skips Clock

  http://www.trnmag.com/Stories/2003/042303/Nanocomputer_skips_clock_042303.html
  With components maybe as small as individual molecules, such computers will likely need new designs. [Technology Research News]

• The Asynchronous Bibliography

  http://www.win.tue.nl/async-bib/
  Database on circuits, almost 2000 items, download formats: BiBTeX, HTML, PDF, PostScript. Page links: web pages and sites, conferences, produced chips.

• Time for the Clockless Computer Chip

  http://dataweek.co.za/article.aspx?pklArticleId=2277
  Brief article explains why such processors promise more speed, safety, security, miniaturization. [Dataweek]

Related Categories

• Home > Computers > Computer Science > Theoretical > Asynchronous Computability
• Home > Science > Technology > Electronics > Design > Asynchronous

 

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