Multi-Processor SoC-Based Design Methodologies Using Configurable and Extensible Processors

The growing interest in multiprocessor system-on-chip (MPSoC) design, or ‘multicore’ processors, has resulted in some confusion between the various types of multiprocessor architectures and their suitability in different application spaces. In particular, there are clear differences between the general-purpose, symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) approaches, and the application-specific, asymmetric multiprocessor (AMP) architectures. Configurable and extensible processors are especially suited for the AMP approach, yet their flexibility means that new design methodologies and tools must be developed to allow effective utilisation of multiple instruction-set processors in a complex design. Configurable and extensible processors are especially well suited for data-intensive computational tasks, such as are found in many signal and image processing applications, including audio, video, and wireless and wired networking. A design methodology for such applications must pay careful attention to the right programming models, and dataflow styles of processing seem a natural fit to the application space. In this paper, we describe a design methodology, flow and tools for MPSoC design using configurable and extensible processors that is especially interesting for data-intensive dataflow style applications. Some of the issues involved in this design approach are used to highlight opportunities for ongoing research.