Transputer-based emulation of a data-driven LISP machine: BIDDLE

Abstract

This article documents the emulation of a multiprocessor data-driven LISP machine, called BIDDLE, on a parallel testbed of transputer processors. Each component of BIDDLE's system architecture is implemented as a software process. Processes of the emulator communicate via a software-simulated bus. Global memory is implemented as a collection of the local memory of the transputers. Garbage collection is handled with a hybrid scheme of weighted reference counting and copy collection. The emulator is scalable to include additional BIDDLE processing elements when more transputers are available. © 1993.