Application-specific coarse-grained reconfigurable array: architecture and design methodology

• Published in: International journal of electronics Vol. 102; no. 6; pp. 897 - 910
• Main Authors: Zhou, Li, Liu, Dongpei, Zhang, Jianfeng, Liu, Hengzhu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 03.06.2015; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: ACO; Algorithms; Ant colony optimization; Application specific integrated circuits; application-specific architecture; Architecture; Arrays; Automation; CGRA; Computer architecture; customisable function unit; Customizing; Design engineering; design methodology; Domains; Embedded systems; Flexibility; Integrated circuits; Methodology; Optimization algorithms; Performance enhancement
• ISSN: 0020-7217; 1362-3060
• DOI: 10.1080/00207217.2014.942885

Coarse-grained reconfigurable arrays (CGRAs) have shown potential for application in embedded systems in recent years. Numerous reconfigurable processing elements (PEs) in CGRAs provide flexibility while maintaining high performance by exploring different levels of parallelism. However, a difference remains between the CGRA and the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Some application domains, such as software-defined radios (SDRs), require flexibility with performance demand increases. More effective CGRA architectures are expected to be developed. Customisation of a CGRA according to its application can improve performance and efficiency. This study proposes an application-specific CGRA architecture template composed of generic PEs (GPEs) and special PEs (SPEs). The hardware of the SPE can be customised to accelerate specific computational patterns. An automatic design methodology that includes pattern identification and application-specific function unit generation is also presented. A mapping algorithm based on ant colony optimisation is provided. Experimental results on the SDR target domain show that compared with other ordinary and application-specific reconfigurable architectures, the CGRA generated by the proposed method performs more efficiently for given applications.