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Prophid: A Platform-Based Design Method

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Abstract

The continuing trendtowards higher integration densities of integrated circuits makesthe development of systems-on-a-chip possible. For well-definedapplication domains ``silicon platforms'' must be defined whichallow efficient, yet programmable implementations. These platformsare heterogeneous reconfigurable multiprocessor architecturessupporting a variety of communication and computation models.As a consequence designers are facing a large architecture spacewith new possibilities for new architectures. To exploit theseopportunities a better understanding of system level architecturesis necessary. A first step in this direction is to learn fromdesign exercises. Eventually this may lead towards a system leveldesign method. In this paper a multiprocessor architecture templateis presented that serves as a platform for high-throughput applications.Central to this architecture is a reconfigurable high-performanceprocessor network that uses communication concepts based on theTST-networks known from the literature. We discuss the characteristicsof the architecture template in detail. Furthermore, we willdiscuss the specification, modelling, and mapping of applicationsfor this architecture. Finally, we analyse cost and performancefigures using real implementation results.

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Leijten, J.A., Meerbergen, J.L.v., Timmer, A.H. et al. Prophid: A Platform-Based Design Method. Design Automation for Embedded Systems 6, 5–37 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008940508225

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