Optimizing high-performance CPUs, GPUs and DSPs? Use logic and memory IP - Part I

Ken Brock, Synopsys
EDN (October 28, 2013)

Mobile communications, multimedia and consumer systems-on-chip (SoCs) must achieve the highest performance while consuming the minimal amount of energy to achieve longer battery life and/or fit into lower cost packaging. CPUs, GPUs and DSPs typically each have unique performance, power and area targets for each new silicon process node. Each new generation brings a new set of challenges to SoC designers and a new set of opportunities to create higher performance and more power-efficient IP to enable SoC designers to deliver the last megahertz of performance, while squeezing out the last nanowatt of power and last square micron of area. SoC designers need to first be aware of the advances in logic and memory IP and then they must know how to take advantage of these advances for the key components of their chips using the latest EDA flows and tools to stay ahead of their competitors.

In this two-part article we describe available logic library and memory compiler IP and a typical EDA flow for hardening processor cores. Part I continues on to provide innovative techniques, using those logic libraries and memory compilers within the design flow, to optimize processor area. Part II describes methods using these same elements for optimizing the performance and power consumption of processors. The article finishes with a preview of how the innovation of FinFET technology will affect logic and memory IP and its use in hardening optimal CPU, GPU and DSP cores.

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