tag: processors

What Is An ASIP?
By Roddy Urquhart - 22 Apr, 2021 - Comments: 0

ASIP stands for “application-specific instruction-set processor” and simply means a processor which has been designed to be optimal for a particular application or domain. General-purpose versus application- or domain-specific processors Most processor cores to date have been general-purpose, which means that they have been designed to handle a wide range of applications with good average... » read more

Xilinx AI Engines And Their Applications
By Xilinx - 31 Mar, 2021 - Comments: 0

This white paper explores the architecture, applications, and benefits of using Xilinx's new AI Engine for compute intensive applications like 5G cellular and machine learning DNN/CNN. 5G requires between five to 10 times higher compute density when compared with prior generations; AI Engines have been optimized for DSP, meeting both the throughput and compute requirements to deliver the hig... » read more

Customizing An Existing RISC-V Processor
By Roddy Urquhart - 25 Feb, 2021 - Comments: 0

In a previous post, we considered how you could create an optimized ISA for a domain-specific processor core by profiling software and experimenting with adding/removing instructions. Using the open RISC-V ISA can be a great starting point for a processor that combines application-specific capabilities and access to portable software. The old-fashioned way to modify the instruction set wo... » read more

Arm Goes For Performance
By Paul McLellan - 12 Nov, 2020 - Comments: 0

At the recent Linley Processor Conference, Arm presented two processors. This was regarded as so confidential that the original pre-conference version of the presentations didn't contain the Arm one, even though that pdf was only put online about an hour before. But most of the outline of what they presented they already talked about in May, a few months ago. I said recently that this seem... » read more

Defining Processor Core Complexity
By Roddy Urquhart - 24 Sep, 2020 - Comments: 0

The more complex a processor core, the larger the area and power consumption. But increasing complexity is not a single dimension, as processors can be more complex in different ways. In selecting a processor IP core, it is important to choose the right sort of complexity for your project. Some ways of thinking about complexity include: Word length Execution units Privilege/prot... » read more

Understanding The Performance Of Processor IP Cores
By Roddy Urquhart - 27 Aug, 2020 - Comments: 1

Looking at any processor IP, you will find that their vendors emphasize PPA (performance, power & area) numbers. In theory, they should provide a level playing field for comparing different processor IP cores, but in reality, the situation is more complex. Let us consider performance. The first thing to think about is what aspect of performance you care about. Do you care more about the ... » read more

Practical Processor Verification
By Brian Bailey - 23 Apr, 2020 - Comments: 0

Custom processors are making a resurgence, spurred on by the early success of the RISC-V ISA and the ecosystem that is rapidly building around it. But this shift is amid questions about whether processor verification has become a lost art. Years ago custom processors were common. But as the market consolidated around a handful of companies, so did the tools and expertise needed to develop th... » read more

Using Processor Trace At The System Level
By Ann Mutschler - 23 Apr, 2020 - Comments: 0

The race to process more data faster using less power is creating a series of debug challenges at the system level, where developers need to be able to trace interactions across multiple and often heterogeneous processing elements that may function independently of each other. In general, trace is a hardware debug feature that allows the run-time behavior of IP to be monitored. More specific... » read more

Security From The Ground Up
By Thomas Ensergueix - 17 Apr, 2020 - Comments: 0

Silicon and system design are complex and costly enough in the ultra-deep sub-micron era. Now factor in security. Virtually every end application requires some level of security, and, as the cybersecurity threat rises, the importance and value of trust and assurance rises as well. This is even more evident in “high-security” use cases such as smart cards used to enter buildings, SIM card... » read more

Why It’s So Hard To Create New Processors
By Brian Bailey - 26 Mar, 2020 - Comments: 1

The introduction, and initial success, of the RISC-V processor ISA has reignited interest in the design of custom processors, but the industry is now grappling with how to verify them. The expertise and tools that were once in the market have been consolidated into the hands of the few companies that have been shipping processor chips or IP cores over the past 20 years. Verification of a pro... » read more

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