Architecture quality

Abstract

During the past few years, researchers in Computer Architecture have seen a number of new, so called "non- von Neumann" innovations. Some of these innovations are finding their way into commercial computers, while others are relegated to the back waters of research logs. There are several reasons for the reluctance of manufacturers in implementing new ideas. One of the important reasons cited by the panel at NCC 81 [1] is the lack of quantitative data substantiating the benefits of the innovations. As one of the panelists remarked, "we need an order of magnitude improvements, hopefully in base 10", before new architectures can find their way into commercial computers.