Constant-time algorithms for the channel assignment problem on processor arrays with reconfigurable bus systems

In this paper, we present an O(1) time algorithm to solve the minimum coloring problem defined on a set of intervals, which is also called the channel assignment problem. This problem has not been solved in O(1) time before, even on the idealistic CRCW PRAM model. For large-sized problems, it is desirable to have fast hardware-solutions. Our algorithm is based on the processor arrays with a reconfigurable bus system (abbreviated to PARBS) that consists of a processor array and a reconfigurable bus system. In order to solve this problem with constant time complexity, we first transform the "left-edge" channel assignment algorithm to the parenthesis-matching problem. Based on this novel scheme, we are able to explore constant-time parallel algorithms to solve the minimum coloring problem for n intervals, which is also called the channel assignment problem, on a PARBS with O(n/sup 2/) processors. >