Engineering the Complex SOC The first unified hardware/software guide to processor-centric SOC design Processor-centric approaches enable SOC designers to complete far larger projects in far less time. Engineering the Complex SOCis a comprehensive, example-driven guide to creating designs with configurable, extensible processors. Drawing upon Tensilica's Xtensa architecture and TIE language, Dr. Chris Rowen systematically illuminates the issues, opportunities, and challenges of processor-centric design. Rowen introduces a radically new design methodology, then covers its essential techniques: processor configuration, extension, hardware/software co-generation, multiple processor partitioning/communication, and more.

Coverage includes:

* Why extensible processors are necessary: shortcomings of current design methods

* Comparing extensible processors to traditional processors and hardwired logic

* Extensible processor architecture and mechanisms of processor extensibility

* Latency, throughput, coordination of parallel functions, hardware interconnect options, management of design complexity, and other issues

* Multiple-processor SOC architecture for embedded systems

* Task design from the viewpoints of software andhardware developers

* Advanced techniques: implementing complex state machines, task-to-task synchronization, power optimization, and more

* Toward a "sea of processors": Long-term trends in SOC design and semiconductor technology For all architects, hardware engineers, software designers, and SOC program managers involved with complex SOC design; and for all managers investing in SOC designs, platforms, processors, or expertise. PRENTICE HALL Professional Technical Reference Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 www.phptr.com