Multiple modular very long instruction word processors based on field programmable gate arrays

Authors

Brost, V., Yang, F., Paindavoine, M., Farrugia, N.

Year

2007

Title

Multiple modular very long instruction word processors based on field programmable gate arrays

Journal / book / conference

Journal of Electronic Imaging

Abstract

Modem field programmable gate array (FPGA) chips, with their large memory capacity and reconfigurability potential, are opening new frontiers in rapid prototyping of embedded systems. With the advent of high-density FPGAs, it is now possible to implement a high-performance very long instruction word (VLIW) processor core in an FPGA. This paper describes research results about enabling the DSP TMS320 C6201 model for real-time image processing applications by exploiting FPGA technology. We present a modular DSP C6201 VHDL model with a variable instruction set. We call this new development a minimum mandatory modules (M-3) approach. Our goals are to keep the flexibility of DSP in order to shorten the development cycle and to use the totality of the powerful FPGA resources in order to increase real-time performance. Some common algorithms of image processing and a face tracking in video sequences application were created and validated on an FPGA Virtexll-2000 multimedia board using the development cycle proposed. Our results demonstrate that an algorithm can easily be, in an optimal manner, specified and then automatically converted to VHDL language and implemented on an FPGA device with system-level software. This makes our approach suitable for developing co-design environments. Our approach applies some criteria for co-design tools: flexibility, modularity, performance, and reusability. In this paper, the target VLIW processor is the DSP TMS320C6x. Nonetheless, our design cycle can be generalized to other DSP processors.

Issue

Volume

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