Can dataflow subsume von Neumann computing

Abstract: We explore the question: “What can a von Neumann processor borrow from dataflow to make it more suitable for a multiprocessor?’ ’ Start-ing with a simple, “RISC-like ” instruction set, we show how to change the underlying processor orga-nization to make it multithreaded. Then, we extend it with three instructions that give it a fine-grained, dataflow capability. We call the result P-RISC, for “Parallel FUSC. ” Finally, we discuss memory support for such multiprocessors. We compare our approach to existing MIMD machines and to other dataflow machines