High performance multiprocessor architecture design methodology for application-specific embedded systems

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for the design of application-specific multiprocessor systems. The methodology, named AIM, guides a designer to select the right heterogeneous architecture starting from a set of target applications. The methodology distinguishes between applications and architectures that are modeled as Kahn Process Networks and cycle-accurate bit-true models, respectively. A gradual mapping of applications over architectures is defined to analyze the performance of the resulting system by simulation. As a consequence, functionally complete system is always available with the designer without the overwhelming issues related with the multiprocessor architectures. The described methodology is illustrated through the design of a multiprocessor architecture for an MPEG-1 audio decoder application.