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Soft Processors in FPGAs?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the taking-embedded-programming-to-the-next-level dept.

cybergibbons asks: "We're students in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College, and are carrying out some research for Altera into FPGAs, softcore processors, and hardware software co-design. Most embedded systems are a combination of hardware (for performance) and software (for versatility), and the design of these systems is getting more and more complex. Previously, the hardware and software was partitioned at the early stages of design, leading to sub-optimal solutions. New languages such as SystemC and Handel C aim to merge the hardware and software design with one common language combining the high level algorithm design and low level RTL design ? the ultimate goal being to allow conventional C++ programs to be synthesized directly into working systems, without any human intervention. However, what we seem to have found is a lot of marketing spiel and conceptual papers with no practical ideas. Is anyone using any of these new tools? Are any of the current co-design tools any good? Do you think a computer can partition designs effectively into hardware and software? What features would you like to see in future tools? Do you envision any amazing new applications for FPGAs using new co-design tools?"

2 of 26 comments (clear)

  1. OT: Code Morphing by MBCook · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I've always wondered why Transmeta hasn't extended code morphing to other cores. Why not release a core than runs PPC code? Why not make a core than can run BOTH PPC and x86 code. Think about this. Apple could use Transmeta processors (since in the past they haven't been as fast as x86 processors anyway) but software like VirtualPC could run at the equivelent of full speed by using different codemorphing. Or you could do things the other way on the PC side. It would allow people to program on one platform and test on another nativly (not through software emulation of hardware) on the same PC.

    I think making the code morphing system be able to do multiple cores on one chip could have a LOT of good effects.

    Just an idea.

    --
    Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
    1. Re:OT: Code Morphing by bmac · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I've wondered why you can't target the direct transmeta ML. It has to exist as its own, separate entity, right? Why not have an OS that targets it directly? And, lastly, why would you create a chip and not write an OS for it in its native code?

      More questions than answers here...