Heterogeneous multiprocessor for the management of real-time video and graphics streams
M. Strik, A.H. Timmer, Jef van Meerbergen, G.-J. van Rootselaar · IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits · 2000
This paper presents an application domain driven approach to the design of embedded systems on silicon, and it shows how this approach is used to design a chip for a multi-window TV application. We discuss all major design steps in a logical order starting with an application domain analysis. This leads to the choice of Kahn data flow graphs as the programming paradigm for high-throughput signal applications. Based on this analysis we designed a multiprocessor architecture which uses a run-time reconfiguration. Finally, attention is directed towards the physical implementation and the deep-submicron problems we had to solve. The result is a chip that can manage up to 25 internal real-time video streams. The chip combines the flexibility of a programmable solution with the cost effectiveness of a consumer product.