Dataplane Design

Methodology » Dataplane Design

Dataplane Processors: The Key to Efficient SOC Design

Designers have long understood how to use a single processor for the control functions in an SOC design. However, there are a lot of data-intensive functions that control processors cannot handle. That's why designers design RTL blocks for these functions. However, RTL blocks take a long time to design and verify, and are not programmable to handle multiple standards or changes.

Designers often want to use programmable functions in the dataplane, and only Tensilica offers the core technology that overcomes the top four objections to using processors in the dataplane:

  1. Data throughput - All other processor cores use bus interfaces to transfer data. Tensilica allows designers to bypass the main bus entirely, directly flowing data into and out of the execution units of the processor using a FIFO-like (first in-, first out) process, just like a block of RTL.
  2. Fit into hardware design flow - Tensilica is the only processor core company that provides glueless pin-level cosimulation of the ISS (instruction set simulator) with Verilog simulators from Cadence, Synopysys and Mentor. Using existing tools, designers can simulate the processor in the context of the entire chip. And Tensilica offers a better verification infrastructure over RTL, with pre-verified state machines.
  3. Processing speed - Tensilica's patented automated tools help the designer customize the processor for the application, like video, audio, or communications. This lets designers use Tensilica's processors to get 10 to 100 times the processing speed of traditional processors and DSPs
  4. Customization challenges - Most designers are not processor experts, and are hestitant to customize a processor architecture for their needs. With Tensilica's automated processor generator, designers can quickly and safely get the customized processor core for their exact configuration. See how it works here.

The Best of CPUs and DSPs with Better Performance

Dataplane Processor Units (DPUs) combine the best of CPUs and DSPs with much better performance and fit for each application.

DPUs Deliver Best of CPU and DSP at 10-100x Performance

DPUs are designed to handle  performance-intensive DSP (audio, video, imaging, and baseband signal processing) and embedded RISC processing functions (security, networking, and deeply embedded control).

Used Throughout the Chip

Tensilica's DPUs offer a unique blend of CPU + DSP strengths and deliver programmability, low power, optimized performance, and small core size. DPUs are employed throughout the chip:

dataplane processors

Optimized DPUs Outperform Traditional DSPs and CPUs by 10-100x

By optimizing the processor using Tensilica's automated tools, designers quickly get 10-100x the performance of a standard 32-bit RISC processor in their DPU. Just look at some common optimizations:

For example, by adding 4500 gates to our base Xtensa processor, a designer was able to accelerate the DES encryption algorithm by about 50x (see application note on DES encryption).

Lower Design Risk Than RTL

The inherent programmability in Tensilica's processor cores enables performance tuning and bug fixes via firmware upgrade, lowering design risk and allowing faster time to market. Tensilica pre-verifies all changes made to the processor, and guarantees that your processor design will be correct by construction. You don't actually have to get in there and make the processor changes yourself - our automated tools will take your guidance and make the changes for you, correctly.

Fundamentally Different from Standard CPUs and DSPs

Here are the fundamental differences between Tensilica's DPUs and traditional processors and DSPs:

Traditional Processors & DSPs Tensilica DPU (Dataplane Processors)
Processors and DSPs are fixed function, generic, non-optimized Customizable processors provide a unique combination of optimized processor plus DSP
Changing or designing a processor is expensive, difficult and risky. Requires a team of 50+ processor designers. Fully automated processor and software tools creation. One algorithm expert or SOC designer can create a customized core in less than one hour.
Processors and DSPs offer limited power and powerformance Tensilica processors can outperform traditional DSPs and CPUs by 50x or more in power and performance
I/O bottlenecks render processors and DSPs inapporpriate for dataplane processing and are difficult to integrate with RTL Tensilica's processors have unlimited user defined I/Os, mimicking RTL-style hardware dataflows for easy RTL integration
No differentiation: same hardware and in many cases software Reduce design risk while capturing proprietary knowledge into a customized implemention


Automated Dataplane Processor: Create a Core & Software in Less than 1 Hour

Tensilica has automated much of the risk out of creating a customized dataplane processor. Using our tools, designers can create a customized core and matching software tools in less than an hour.

Tensilica has automated the process of creating customized dataplane processors.

Find out more about how to customize our processors in our Product section.

Direct I/O Into and Out of the Processor

All other processor cores and DSPs use bus interfaces to transfer data. Tensilica allows designers to bypass the main bus entirely, directly flowing data into and out of the execution units of the processor using a FIFO-like (first in-, first out) process. We provide three ways of directly communicating, much like an RTL block.

ports and queues

Flexible I/O Allows Much Faster Inter-block Communication

Find out more about flexible I/Os.

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