A 1.2-W, 2.16-GOPS/720-MFLOPS embedded superscalar microprocessorfor multimedia applications

摘要

We have designed a microprocessor that is based on a singleninstruction multiple data stream (SIMD) architecture. It features antwo-way superscalar architecture for multimedia embedded systems thatnneed to support especially MPEG2 video decoding/encoding and 3DCG imagenprocessing. This microprocessor meets all requirements of embeddednsystems, including (a) MPEG2 (MP@ML) decoding and graphic processingncapabilities for three-dimensional images, (b) programming flexibility,nand (c) low power consumption and low manufacturing cost. Highnperformance was achieved by enhanced parallel processing capabilitiesnwhile adopting a SIMD architecture and a two-way superscalarnarchitecture. Programming flexibility was increased by providing 170ndedicated multimedia instructions. Low power consumption was achieved bynutilizing advanced process technology and power-saving circuits. Thenprocessor supports a general-purpose RISC instruction set. This featurenis important, as the processor will have to work as a controller ofnvarious target systems. The processor has been fabricated by 0.21-ΜmnCMOS four-metal technology on a 9.84×10.12 mm die. It performsn2.16 GOPS/720 MFLOPS at an operating frequency of 180 MHz, with a powernconsumption of 1.2 W and a power supply of 1.8 V