Architecture of a reconfigurable system based on an embedded FPPA
Christophe Amerijckx, Jean-Didier Legat · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 1998
In this paper, we introduce the architecture of a new embedded field programmable processor array (E-FPPA) which consists of a low-power multiprocessor system embedded with standard programmable logic blocks and memory. Each block (processor, programmable logic,...) is coupled to a transfer controller responsible of all the transfers between blocks. Instead of using a classical crossbar interconnection network, we propose a low cost hierarchical ring which combines simple interface and high performance communications when data locally is observed. This architecture is fully scalable and is based on a numa (non- uniform access time memory) multiprocessor scheme. The core of the architecture is a small RISC processor (actually, a very low power CoolRisc has been chosen) which is embedded with programmable logic blocks (similar to standard CPLD or FPGA), static RAMs and other devices (DSP coprocessor, peripherals, ...). By using the 8-bit CoolRisc processor, an E-FPPA including a cluster of 16 processors, 16 TC, 4 Kbytes data memory and 5.5 Kbytes program memory for each processor can deliver up to 3200 Mops at 100 MHz. The chip size has been evaluated in 0.35 micrometers to 52 mm2.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.