Seeking solutions in configurable computing

TLDR

Configurable computing promises powerful new computing systems. The study questions whether current research can overcome the lack of commercial applicability to realize configurable computing systems and highlights ample opportunity for work across many areas. The authors recommend focusing on refining emerging architectures, improving software/hardware APIs, developing better application tools that model hardware reconfiguration, and establishing effective benchmarking strategies. No system to date has proven attractive or competitive enough to establish a commercial presence.

Abstract

Configurable computing offers the potential of producing powerful new computing systems. Will current research overcome the dearth of commercial applicability to make such systems a reality? Unfortunately, no system to date has yet proven attractive or competitive enough to establish a commercial presence. We believe that ample opportunity exists for work in a broad range of areas. In particular, the configurable computing community should focus on refining the emerging architectures, producing more effective software/hardware APIs, better tools for application development that incorporate the models of hardware reconfiguration, and effective benchmarking strategies.