Automatic code generation for multi-microblaze system with syndex

Image processing applications such as video codecs represent a great challenge in terms of real-time embedded systems. Programmable multicomponent architectures can provide suitable target solutions combining flexibility and computation power. Integrating multicomponents on FPGA provides greater flexibility but presents more challenges in system level design e.g. design space exploration, multiprocessor distribution and scheduling, inter-processor communications and real-time constraints. The aim of our work is to develop a fast automatic design process dedicated to the implementation of deterministic image processing applications on parallel multicomponent architectures. This design process is based on AAA methodology using the SynDEx CAD tool. A distributed implementation from high-level application and architecture descriptions is automatically provided, saving a considerable amount of time in design space exploration achieving optimisation by reducing global execution time. This paper presents the design process for an FPGA-based multi-MicroBlaze system using SynDEx, and several kernels are developed for the automatic code generation.