ADRES (Architecture for Dynamically Reconfigurable Embedded Systems) is a templatized coarse-grained reconfigurable processor architecture. It targets at embedded applications which demand high-performance, low-power and high-level language programmability. Compared with typical VLIW-based DSP, ADRES can exploit higher parallelism by using more scalable hardware with support of novel compilation techniques. We developed a complete tool-chain, including compiler, simulator and HDL generator. This paper describes the design case of a media processor targeting at H.264 decoder and other video tasks based on the ADRES template. The whole processor design, hardware implementaiton and application mapping are done in a relative short period. Yet we obtain C-programmed real-time H.264/AVC CIF decoding at 50 MHz. The die size, clock speed and the power consumption are also very competitive compared with other processors.
Bingfeng Mei, Bjorn De Sutter, Tom Vander Aa, M. W