Order statistics on optically interconnected multiprocessor systems

Processor arrays with an optical bus are introduced as a new computational model. We use the order statistics problem as an example to demonstrate how to design efficient parallel algorithms on such systems. Besides proposing a new algorithm on the model, some basic data movement operations involved in the algorithm are discussed. We believe that these operations can be used to design other parallel algorithms on the same model. Time analysis indicates that order statistics can be done more efficiently on a linear array with a pipelined optical bus than that with an electronic bus. The initial result is promising, and the author believes that optical buses may emerge as a powerful communication mechanism for connecting large parallel computer systems in the near future.<>