Re-Targetable LLVM C/C++ Compiler For RISC-V

By Zdeněk Přikryl - 27 Jul, 2023 - Comments: 0

RISC-V is a modular instruction set architecture (ISA) with great customization capabilities that enable innovation and differentiation without fragmentation. On top of the baseline modules from ratified/standard ISA extensions, such as integer instructions or floating-point instructions, designers can add custom instructions: pure design freedom! And the reasons for adding instructions are man... » read more

Compiler Optimization Made Easy

By Nozar Nozarian - 07 Mar, 2023 - Comments: 0

In a previous blog post, we discussed the benefits of using automation to maximize the performance of a system. One use case I mentioned was compiler flag mining, and the fact that performance is available beyond the standard optimization flags provided by most compilers. Getting to this untapped performance is a difficult problem to solve, but fortunately there is an easy way. A universe of o... » read more

Optimizing Hardware Capacity, Utilizing Automatic Differentiation to Efficiently Compute Derivatives in Parallel Programming Models

By Technical Paper Link - 30 Nov, 2022 - Comments: 0

A technical paper titled "Scalable Automatic Differentiation of Multiple Parallel Paradigms through Compiler Augmentation" was published by researchers at MIT (CSAIL), Argonne National Lab, and TU Munich. The paper was a Best Paper Finalist and a Best Student Paper winner at SuperComputing 2022. Find the technical paper here. Published November 2022. The work "demonstrates how Enzyme opti... » read more

Customizing Processors

By Brian Bailey - 28 Jul, 2022 - Comments: 1

The design, verification, and implementation of a processor is the core competence of some companies, but others just want to whip up a small processor as quickly and cheaply as possible. What tools and options exist? Processors range from very small, simple cores that are deeply embedded into products to those operating at the highest possible clock speeds and throughputs in data centers. I... » read more

Research Platform for Heterogeneous Computing (ETH Zurich)

By Technical Paper Link - 09 May, 2022 - Comments: 0

New academic paper from ETH Zurich, "HEROv2: Full-Stack Open-Source Research Platform for Heterogeneous Computing." Abstract: "Heterogeneous computers integrate general-purpose host processors with domain-specific accelerators to combine versatility with efficiency and high performance. To realize the full potential of heterogeneous computers, however, many hardware and software design ... » read more

Big Changes In Embedded Software

By Ann Mutschler - 28 Apr, 2022 - Comments: 0

Every good hardware or software design starts with a structured approach throughout the design cycle, but as chip architectures and applications begin focusing on specific domains and include some version of AI, that structure is becoming more difficult to define. Embedded software, which in the past was written for very narrow functions with a minimal footprint, is increasingly getting blended... » read more

Better Benchmarks Through Compiler Optimizations: Codasip Jump Threading

By Codasip - 25 Sep, 2019 - Comments: 0

The architectural efficiency of embedded processor IP is measured by a small set of industry standard benchmarks, that even though often bear little correlation to real workloads, continue to persist. The most popular benchmarks are Dhrystone and CoreMark. An interesting observation regarding these test suites is that the performance numbers continue to improve for a given architecture, even... » read more

Knowledge Centers
Entities, people and technologies explored

Shift Left Is The Tip Of The Iceberg

A transformative change is underway for semiconductor design and EDA. New languages, models, and abstractions will need to be created.

by Brian Bailey

Partitioning In The Chiplet Era

Understanding how chiplets interact under different workloads is critical to ensuring signal integrity and optimal performance in heterogeneous designs.

by Ann Mutschler

NAND Flash Targets 1,000 Layers

New techniques go beyond improved deposition and etching, but challenges stack up, too.

by Bryon Moyer

3.5D: The Great Compromise

Pros and cons of a middle-ground chiplet assembly that combines 2.5D and 3D-IC.

by Ed Sperling

AI’s Role In Chip Design Widens, Drawing In New Startups

Focus is on letting engineers do much more with the same or fewer resources — and less drudgery.

by Karen Heyman

What Comes After HBM For Chiplets

The standard for high-bandwidth memory limits design freedom at many levels, but that is required for interoperability. What freedoms can be taken from other functions to make chiplets possible?

by Brian Bailey

Memory Fundamentals For Engineers

eBook: Nearly everything you need to know about memory, including detailed explanations of the different types of memory; how and where these are used today; what's changing, which memories are successful and which ones might be in the future; and the limitations of each memory type.

by The SE Staff

Why Small Fab And Assembly Houses Are Thriving

Megafabs churning out the most advanced processors are not the only game in town.