Low-energy DSP IP saves PPA for hyperscale computing
For a broad range of compute-intensive applications, Cadence Tensilica has developed the FloatingPoint DSP family.
Members of the DSP family are scalable and configurable and designed specifically for floating-point-centric workloads. The DSP IP cores are optimised for power, performance and area (PPA), ranging from small, low power to very high performance. Target applications range from energy-efficient battery-operated devices to artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML), motor control, sensor fusion, object tracking and augmented reality / virtual reality (AR / VR) applications in the mobile, automotive, hyperscale computing and consumer markets.
There are four cores in the family: the Tensilica FloatingPoint KP1 DSP, the Tensilica FloatingPoint KP6 DSP, the Tensilica FloatingPoint KQ7 DSP and the Tensilica FloatingPoint KQ8 DSP.
Tensilica FloatingPoint DSPs share a common instruction set architecture (ISA) with existing Tensilica DSPs’ optional vector floating-point unit (VFPU), promoting software portability and reusability while enabling easy offloading of floating point workloads. Scalable from 128-bit SIMD to 1024-bit SIMD on both the Tensilica Xtensa LX and NX platforms, the FloatingPoint DSPs deliver a 25 per cent improvement in fused multiply-add (FMA) operations compared to Tensilica fixed-point DSPs with the VFPU add-on. Performance can be further enhanced and differentiated using the Tensilica Instruction Extension (TIE) language, says the company. Cadence Tensilica adds that the FloatingPoint DSPs offer up to 40 per cent area savings compared to the similar class of fixed-point DSPs with VFPUs.
Software tools accompanying the new DSPs provide auto-vectorisation that helps optimise the scalar code to utilise the vector floating point units with minimal to no manual effort. Support for optimised Eigen, NatureDSP, simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) and math software libraries aid development of high performance software. The Tensilica FloatingPoint DSPs offer a software development environment that enables seamless migration of the existing floating point common software stack to the new Tensilica FloatingPoint DSPs and between the FloatingPoint DSPs within the family.
The Tensilica FloatingPoint KP1 DSP, Tensilica FloatingPoint KP6 DSP, Tensilica FloatingPoint KQ7 DSP and Tensilica FloatingPoint KQ8 DSP are all in general availability now.
