How We See Embedded Processing
Industry leaders share their insights about processor and software-processing architectures and the impact they have on system and software development. Relevant architectures include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), multiprocessor architectures, processor fabrics, coprocessors, and accelerators, plus embedded cores in FPGAs, SOCs, and ASICs. Moderated by EDN Technical Editor Robert Cravotta.
The Core Matters…or Does it?
Let me make it clear right away that I don’t want to start another debate about the merits of various benchmarks (or deal with the infinite thread of flaming comments that follows). Fact is, we often need a metric; a way to measure and compare the performance of the “apples” and “oranges” available to us. My focus is always on microcontrollers in embedded-control ...... Read More
Comments (2)Multiprocessing #6: Multicore architectures
Robert’s insightful article on multicore taxonomy makes a good case for the need for standard ways to describe and discuss multicore technology. But it might be simply too soon in the game to settle on a firm taxonomy. Industry consensus on even the most basic definition of what constitutes a multicore processor remains elusive. Participants in the “Trends in Multicore Processor Desi ...... Read More
Comments (1)Multiprocessing #5: Dataplane Processor Units
In this article I would like to pick up on the processor and multiprocessor taxonomy themes that Robert Cravotta introduced in his article, and his two blog posts (first and second). Robert divided the multiprocessing world into four categories: “channel-based, aggregate-based, multi-domain, and feedback architectures”. Interestingly, he also talks about pipeline or streaming approac ...... Read More
Comments (1)Multiprocessing #4: Multicore Configurations
Multicore processors (processors with multiple processing cores) are being considered in more embedded designs. There are in general two drivers that are bringing people to multicore: performance and/or consolidation. The performance driver is simple. Many devices need the best performance in the smallest package with the lowest power demands. A multicore processor provides more MIPS pe ...... Read More
Comments (1)Multiprocessing #3: Things to consider with multicore
When programming multicore, debug becomes exponentially more difficult (or at least polynomially more difficult, for the literalists out there) with the number of cores. This is because there are so many more possible connections to be made (for N cores it is theoretically (N-1)!). When multicore was across a board, there was a lot of visibility to be had with a logic analyzer. But when the interc ...... Read More
Comments (3)Multiprocessing #2: Don’t Blame the Software Developer
Before we take a look at the landscape of multicore programming and what is happening within it, there’s one thing that we need to bear in mind, a key fact that often gets overlooked: Software engineers did not ask for multicore architectures! Let’s be really clear about this because there’s some unfair and unnecessary finger-pointing going on at the moment. Competitive produc ...... Read More
Comments (3)Multicore in a world of Multiprocessing
One thing I find in this constantly innovating semiconn industry is that it is always harder to describe and specify what you need than it is to build it. I guess that’s why I so often see the specification stage of development taking so long. Robert’s article is addressing one of the big-issues that I’ve also enjoyed walking around the industry– that of trying to artic ...... Read More
Comments (2)Integration versus partitioning
Maybe it’s just me, and maybe it’s just a coincidence, but recently I keep having the same kind of discussion over and over with a number of embedded-control designers. Their request: "Integrate more." My response: "It doesn’t always make sense." Sometimes more integration is not necessarily a good thing. On the contrary, there are several cases in embedded control where parti ...... Read More
Comments (2)How embedded systems are like a spicy pasta
Like many students, I worked my way through college in the foodservice industry. During my last few years as a student, I was a bartender at a popular upscale Italian restaurant in Columbus, OH. One of the most popular dishes on the menu was a Shrimp Pasta Fra Diavolo; diavolo is the Italian word for "devil" and this term is typically used to describe food with a spicy or peppery bite. The dish wa ...... Read More
Comments (7)The kid inside the engineer knows a thing or two
I tend to deliver a lot of presentations to embedded engineers, and to be frank, we are not the easiest bunch to keep engaged. Let’s set aside the fact that the majority of technology presentations are woefully dull; this is a given. When it comes down to it, there are big problems that engineers are tasked with solving—so the engineer’s mind has lots of fodder for daydreams. ...... Read More
Comments (0)National Instruments P.J. Tanzillo: An introduction
Editor’s note: EDN Welcomes a new contributor to this moderated blog, P.J. Tanzillo of National Instruments. His self-introduction follows, and you can also check out his first official post, "The kid inside the engineer knows a thing or two." My path to being the Embedded Software Product Manager at National Instruments has been quite a winding one. I began my career at NI in the Applicati ...... Read More
Comments (3)Change is the only constant in life...and Computer Architecture
Exactly 10 years ago, I read a cover article on the Scientific American (June 1997) titled "The microchip that rewires itself". The authors noted, "Computers that modify their hardware circuits as they operate are opening a new era in computer design. Because they can filter data rapidly, they excel at pattern recognition, image processing and encryption." I was learning software development at th ...... Read More
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