A Multi Processor Design on a FPGA for Embedded System and Its Evaluations

Abstract

A processor has obtained high speed and many flexible functions by improving semiconductor technology. Almost all the new processors are expensive. Furthermore, varieties of small scale processors suitable to embedded systems are lessening. However varieties of embedded systems are increasing and life times of the systems are becoming short. Therefore small processors which are able to use freely are required. We propose a design method of building a processor system on a FPGA. By applying our design method, flexible and expandable processor system can be realized. The processor system has functions for real time processing and exclusive control. By realizing the functions, the processor system can be applied to systems which need a real time OS. However, designing an application program for the processor with special functions is difficult. As means of solving the problem, we built a tiny language for programming of the processor which has restricted architectures. In this paper, we describe the processor system and the tiny language.