Run-time reconfigurable processors

Abstract

The emergence of Systems-on-Chip (SoC) has generated a tremendous development in application demands. Continuous algorithmic innovation imposes the need for flexibility, intended as the capability of a given processing engine to adapt to new computation patterns after fabrication. In spite of the boost offered by sheer technology development, programmable architectures can hardly meet requirements. The conventional solution of gaining performance through application-specific circuits is severely affected time-to-market. Design-time programmable processors provide a solution only valid for those products that can afford the cost of providing a new set of masks for each upgrade of the target application field. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.