Can somebody give some comments on Tensilica CPUs

[maverick88]

Can somebody give some comments on Tensilica CPUs?

It's said that Tensilica CPUs are much better than the same level ARM and MIPS cores. Does somebody have an experience with Tensilica CPUs? Now we are plannig for a new project, and the selection on CPU core is headache. Advice wanted.

 

[jackson_peng]

Tensillica V Processor is superier to general processor like ARM and MIPS, only on dedicate application, because it supports customed instruction-set for performance optimization. you can consider it when the application is relatively confined and specified.

by the way, there one book, "Complex SoC Design", especially addressing at customed instruction-set processor, and a detail introduction of V processor and development tools.

have fun and hope it would be helpful.

 

[fiber7]

Hi Jackson.

I use Tensilica products, so I can give u some infos.

The LX processor is not comparable with the ARM, performances, area and speed are much better.
Further, you can add custom instructions directly supported in the toolchain.
You can not imagine how many clock cycle u save.

Is it also possible to create custom ports up to 1024 bit.
Embedded there is also an interrupt controller and 3 timers.

U can simulate the SoC system using modelsim, seamless (mentor) and ur HDL code with the processor ISS.

Multiprocessor is supported as well.

Let me know if u need more info.

Reagrds.

Fib

 

[ed271828]

Here's a question.

How would one prototype Tensilica CPUs on FPGAs? The website says it supports only Synplicity's compiler, is that correct? Could adjustments be made for other synthesis tools?

Ed

 

[fiber7]

Hi ed271828.

It is possible to purchase the XT-2000 prototyping board.
There is a Virtex-2P for a single core implementation, and another FPGA for custom hardware.
Every time a new core is generated, a new synthesizd encripted core is provided.
The core is ready to support the Xilinx design flow, so you can you ISE.

I hope it will help you.

Regards.

Fib.

 

[omara007]

Any information regarding power consumption of Tensilica processors compared to Ti Platform processors like Ti OMAP 3, in case we are running something like H.263, H.264 or MPEG-4 ? .. in another world, video stuff ..

 

[silencer3]

tensilica CPU's are very good. LX processor can allow single & multi cpu SOC design. user can define his own instructions.

u can also create custom hardware processing bloicks using their TIE language. u write ur function in TIE and their tools generate hardware and then it gets integrated into CPU. this can save lot of time and effort.

Tensilica processors are highly scalable. they completely support VIRTEX fpga prototyping and ofcourse ASIC.

 

[omara007]

tensilica CPU's are very good. LX processor can allow single & multi cpu SOC design. user can define his own instructions.

u can also create custom hardware processing bloicks using their TIE language. u write ur function in TIE and their tools generate hardware and then it gets integrated into CPU. this can save lot of time and effort.

Tensilica processors are highly scalable. they completely support VIRTEX fpga prototyping and ofcourse ASIC.

Any information about their power consumption rates ?

 

[fiber7]

Hi.

Power consumption highly depends on the technology ur using.
Clock gating is supported, and reference power-consumption values can be find in Tensilica website.
Since every custom instruction create a new hardware, u cannot predict until u make a real power estimation depending on ur design.

Fib

 

[omara007]

Anyone has a tutorial or Reference Manual for Tensilica Instruction Extension Language ? .. any resource are appreciated.
Regards