A reconfigurable multiprocessor IC for rapid prototyping of algorithmic-specific high-speed DSP data paths

A field-programmable multiprocessor integrated circuit, PADDI (programmable arithmetic devices for high-speed digital signal processing), has been designed for the rapid prototyping of high-speed data paths typical to real-time digital signal processing applications. The processor architecture addresses the key requirements of these data paths: (a) fast, concurrently operating, multiple arithmetic units, (b) conflict-free data routing, (c) moderate hardware multiplexing (of the arithmetic units), (d) minimal branch penalty between loop iterations, (e) wide instruction bandwidth, and (f) wide I/O bandwidth. The initial version contains eight processors connected via a dynamically controlled crossbar switch, and has a die size of 8.9×9.5 mm in a 1.2-μm CMOS technology. With a maximum clock rate of 25 MHz, it can support a computation rate of 200 MIPS and can sustain a data I/O bandwidth of 400 Mbytes/s with a typical power consumption of 0.45 W. An assembler and simulator have been developed to facilitate programming and testing of the chip