David May (computer scientist) facts for kids

Michael David May (born February 24, 1951) is a British computer scientist. He is known for his work in how computers are built (called computer architecture), making many computers work together at once (called parallel computing), and robotics. He is a Professor at the University of Bristol and helped start a company called XMOS Semiconductor. He was the main technology boss there until 2014.

Professor May is special because he helped design a computer's main brain (the CPU), how different parts of a computer talk to each other, and even a new programming language. He is also famous for his work on how computers manage their memory and how they turn code into programs. He was the main designer for a special parallel computer chip called the transputer.

As of 2024, he holds 56 patents. These patents cover inventions in areas like microprocessors, making many processors work together, and how computers communicate.

Early Life and School

Professor May was born in Holmfirth, a town in Yorkshire, England. He went to Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield. From 1969 to 1972, he studied at King's College, Cambridge, which is part of the University of Cambridge. He first studied Mathematics and then Computer Science.

At Cambridge, he learned how to design computer systems from David Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler worked on one of the first computers, called EDSAC. He also learned how to write computer programs that translate code from Martin Richards. Mr. Richards created a programming language called BCPL, which helped create the famous C (programming language).

Career and Research

Academic Work

After Cambridge, Professor May moved to the University of Warwick. There, he started doing research in robotics. He faced challenges in making robots sense things and control their movements. This led him to create an early concurrent programming language called EPL. This language ran on several small computers linked together. This early work connected him with Tony Hoare, a very important computer scientist, and Iann Barron, who helped start a company called Inmos.

In 1995, Professor May became the head of the Computer Science Department at the University of Bristol. He started new courses that taught students about starting their own businesses. This led to many student companies. He also helped set up the Bristol Robotics Laboratory. He was the department head until 2005. Then, he became a co-founder and the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of a new computer chip company called XMOS.

He is still a professor at Bristol today. He works on how computers are built and how programming languages work. His research helps with robotics, the internet of things (like smart home devices), and edge computing (processing data closer to where it's collected).

Computer Chip Industry and Start-ups

Inmos Company

The company Inmos was started in 1978 with a lot of money from the UK government. Professor May joined Inmos to work on how microcomputers are designed. He became the main designer of the transputer. This was the first computer chip made for parallel computing, where many tasks happen at the same time.

The transputer has been used in many important areas. These include supercomputers, processing digital images, and scientific calculations. It has also been used in robotics and for military purposes. Over one billion units worldwide have used the transputer processor.

Along with the transputer, Professor May designed a programming language called Occam. This language built on his earlier work. It was also influenced by Tony Hoare, who was working on a concept called CSP. Occam could even be used to describe how computer hardware should work.

Working with Tony Hoare and a research group at Oxford University, Professor May used special methods to check the design of the transputer chips. These were some of the first times that formal checking methods were used in designing computer chips. This helped make sure the chips worked perfectly.

Professor May also started the design of one of the first VLSI packet switches, called the C104. This device helps send data packets quickly. He also designed the communication system for the T9000 transputer.

Professor May's work has greatly influenced how computers communicate and connect. For example, a standard called IEEE 1355 came from the transputer's network system. This standard is used in SpaceWire, a communication network for spacecraft. NASA and ESA use SpaceWire in missions, including the James Webb Space Telescope.

Inmos was later bought by other companies, including STMicroelectronics. STMicroelectronics is now the largest computer chip company in Europe.

XMOS Semiconductor Company

In 2005, Professor May helped start XMOS. This company makes special computer chips that can be changed by software. These chips are used in things like consumer electronics, industrial machines, and cars. He started XMOS with Ali Dixon, James Foster, Noel Hurley, and Hitesh MehtaS. The company has raised over $60 million from investors.

Professor May was the CTO (Chief Technology Officer) of XMOS until 2014. He is still part of their advisory board.

Expert and Advisory Work

Professor May has also worked with other computer chip companies. For example, he wrote the first instructions for a company called Picochip.

He also works as an expert witness in legal cases about intellectual property. This means he helps explain complex technical information in court.

May's Law

There is a saying called May's Law. It talks about how computer software changes over time. It says that software becomes less efficient (uses more computer power) every 18 months. This "halving" of efficiency balances out Moore's Law. Moore's Law says that computer chips get twice as powerful every 18 months.

Awards and Honors

Royal Fellowships

Professor May is a Fellow of The Royal Society. He was chosen in 1991 for his important work in computer design and parallel computing.

He is also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He was chosen for this honor in 2010.

Prizes and Honors

Professor May received an Honorary DSc from the University of Southampton in 1990. This is a special degree given to honor his achievements.

In 1992, he received the Clifford Paterson Medal and Prize from the Institute of Physics. This award recognized his contributions to using physics in industry and business.