Real-time Embedded Processors: Architectures and Design Methods

Embedded system design is a co-design of domains requiring domain-specific processors and a flexible platform architecture to support them. In this report we describe the design, the integrated HW/SW architecture platform and the associated design methods for the Thumbpod case study. It is a secure embedded system, which uses cryptographic and biometric signal processing acceleration. This report presents the concept of HW/SW acceleration transparency, a systematic design method to accelerate Java functions in both software and hardware. An example of acceleration transparency for a Rijndael encryption function is presented. The embedded prototype hardware platform is also described. Acceleration transparency yields software and hardware performance gains of 333X. This design won an honorable mentioning at the student design contest of the 40 Design Automation Conference in June 2003.