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Tensilica’s Diamond Standard and Xtensa processors are used in
a wide array of computer peripheral designs, including
printers, scanners, high-resolution displays, wireless
network devices, and high-capacity storage, to both
decrease design time and reduce design risk by adding
programmability. Xtensa processors can be used both
as a system controller and a DSP in many designs, such as servo control. Multiple
Xtensa processors are often used throughout many
stages of the processing chain, particularly in ink
jet and laser printers where multiple processors
can be employed for various functions such as color-space
conversion, edge enhancement, and error diffusion.
Because Xtensa processors are unlike other processors,
they can be designed especially for computer peripheral
applications to provide high-speed data throughput.
By bypassing the bus and using the unique Ports
and Queues capabilities, the Xtensa LX2 can achieve
RTL-equivalent data throughput.
Color Space Conversion Accelerator
Color space conversion is required when viewing
images on different electronic devices that use different
color space models. As an example, computer monitors
use RGB, but to display images from a computer on
a TV monitor, the colors need to be converted to
YCbCr. RGB is simply the intensity of components
red, blue, and green, where YCbCr is comprised of
a luminance component and two color difference components.
Conversion is done using a simple matrix transformation.
Tensilica’s Xtensa processors are ideal for
this application due to the designer’s ability
to define large data widths, generate custom operand
registers, and use SIMD techniques. This is a highly
parallel operation since there is no dependence on
adjacent color information. Many pixels can be processed
in a single cycle using Tensilica’s Xtensa
processor as a flexible, programmable color converter.
Xtensa Configuration Highlights
- RGB to YIQ, YCbCr, YPbPr, CMYK
- Programmable throughput
Xtensa Benefits
- Ports and queues provide extremely high bandwidth
(link to Ports and Queues section as above)
- Ability to custom define instruction to operate
on any color data width representation
- VLIW (FLIX) instruction
encoding increases per cycle performance
Multi-Function Printers
Multi-function printers (MFPs) are already out selling
single function printers, and this trend will continue.
MFPs need more processing power than single function
printers since they may be used without being connected
to a computer. Some standalone uses include copying,
sending FAXes, and printing pictures directly from
a digital camera. MFPs have increasing performance
demands while prices are under extreme pressure.
MFPs are a prime example of devices that are based
on a system chip that performs both control and data
processing functions. Until recently, most chips
designed into MFPs contained both a simple RISC control
processor and dedicated hardware in the image pipeline.
Tensilica’s Xtensa CPU architecture can easily
perform the control function while multiple Xtensa
processors connected through local high-speed busses
and utilizing custom image processing instructions
can perform the “image pipeline” function.
Xtensa Configuration Highlights
Xtensa Benefits
- Eliminate need for custom image processing hardware,
speeds time to market
- Single programmable architecture for both control
and data
- VLIW
(FLIX) instruction encoding increases per
cycle performanc
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