Reconfigurable Instruction Cell Architecture

Researchers have developed a working testchip

LICENSING / COLLABORATIVE R&D OPPORTUNITY

Existing solutions typically use either hardwired ASIC devices or software programmable DSP cores. The market demands the real time performance levels of hardwired ASIC solutions, but with the full programmable flexibility inherent in a software approach. The RICA core satisfies this demand by achieving much reduced power usage and die area as compared with FPGAs, while being significantly more flexible and reconfigurable than ASICs or DSPs.

It achieves run-time reconfigurability by turning the problem into one of decoding an instruction stream. It is a very coarse-grain base structure with components that can perform tasks such as instruction fetching, and an instruction decoder whose output reconfigures a datapath on an instruction-by-instruction basis.

The researchers have already proven the technology through a working 180nm testchip. A dedicated toolset and customised soft-IPs are now on offer for evaluation in specific applications, including imaging.

Key Benefits

Dynamic reconfigurability
Customisable core
Toolflow setup agnostic
Simple Instruction-cells & Interconnects
High-Level programmable in ANSI C
Easy to create datapaths using existing compilers
Low power and area solutions
Highly flexible and programmable
Scalable

Applications

Streaming data applications
Image processing for stills and video
Mobile digital devices
Mobile multimedia devices

IP Status

A PCT patent entitled “Reconfigurable Instruction Cell Array” (Ref GB2006/001556) was filed with a priority date of 28th April 2006.

The University of Edinburgh is seeking interest from commercial organisations to undertake a collaborative R&D project and/or license this technology on a non-exclusive basis. Soft-IP, design tool-flow and integration service are available.

If you would like further information about this opportunity please fill out the form below. Your enquiry will be passed on to the relevant University who will respond to you directly.

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