Processors have long played an important role in embedded systems design, but fundamental changes in the performance and complexity of those systems are changing that role. Across every embedded application (including data communications, telephony, storage, imaging, and consumer systems), algorithms and protocols are becoming more varied and complex and the data types are growing in richness. In these new systems, a new class of processors is required. Paradoxically, each new processor must fully support the specific new algorithms, datatypes, and bandwidth of its target application, yet must be smaller and more power efficient than traditional processors.
Resolving this paradox requires a new approach to processors – automatic generation of application-specific processors. Tensilica has designed the Xtensa Xplorer design environment and the Xtensa Processor Generator for this purpose. Xtensa Xplorer allows chip architects to rapidly explore alternative design approaches by quickly describing the key instruction, memory, peripheral and interface functions required by their processor. The Xtensa Processor Generator produces a complete processor hardware design, verification and software development environment for that custom processor in minutes. The resulting processor designs consistently execute applications faster, dissipate less power and use less code than general-purpose embedded processors.
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Editorial
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DAC 2012 at San Francisco CA - Jun 3 - 7, 2012
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