Reconfigurable processors have long shown great promise for performance-hungry signal processing applications, but these architectures have garnered little mainstream acceptance. This may be changing, though; recent announcements suggest reconfigurable processors may soon become common in 3G base stations.
Architecturally, reconfigurable processors share some attributes with digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Ideally, reconfigurable processors combine the strengths of all three types of architectures: the fast time-to-market of a DSP, the flexibility of a FPGA, and the efficiency of an ASIC.
Unfortunately, reconfigurable processors can be difficult to program because they are inherently complicated devices. As a result, realizing the potential strengths of a reconfigurable processor can be challenging. Recent announcements suggest one solution to this problem: tune the architecture and tools for a specific target application. In February MorphICs and PicoChip each announced reconfigurable processors and programming tools specifically designed for 3G base stations. In March Motorola disclosed it had helped Morpho Technologies optimize its processor for 3G base stations, and that Motorola will use the Morpho architecture in future base station ICs.
Although the needs of 3G base stations would seem to make them a logical target for reconfigurable processors, vendors have been hamstrung by OEMs’ need to minimize risk. MorphICs, PicoChip, and Morpho Technologies are all small start-ups. Base station designers’ enthusiasm for reconfigurable processor technology has likely been tempered by concerns about the longevity of these vendors.
Several announcements last month address these concerns. First, Infineon announced that it was acquiring MorphICs. As mentioned above, Motorola announced it would use the Morpho architecture in upcoming 3G solutions. And Texas Instruments’ base station chipset, which was also announced last month, uses reconfigurable technology TI acquired in its purchase of Envoy Technologies. (The TI chipset is discussed in detail in the February edition of the DSP Insider.) Infineon, Motorola, and Texas Instruments are three of the world’s largest semiconductor companies. The backing of these companies is likely to speed the acceptance of reconfigurable processors.
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