Blocks, Towards Energy-efficient, Coarse-grained Reconfigurable Architectures

This book introduces a new coarse-grained reconfigurable architecture called Blocks,which is evaluated against existing CGRAs and its strengths and weaknesses. It is unique due to its separate programmable control and data paths,allowing light-weight instruction decode units to be arbitrarily connected to functional units over a statically configured interconnect.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book delves into the realm of computer architecture, specifically focusing on a novel and coarse-grained reconfigurable architecture known as Blocks. It provides a comprehensive exploration of Blocks, placing it within the broader context of computer architectures and other reconfigurable architectures (CGRAs). The book commences with an extensive evaluation of historical and existing CGRAs, encompassing their strengths, weaknesses, and distinctive characteristics. This analytical exercise not only enhances our understanding of CGRAs but also leads to the formulation of a refined definition that sets them apart from other architectural approaches.

The authors introduce Blocks as a groundbreaking architecture due to its distinct programmable control and data paths. This feature enables the connection of light-weight instruction decode units to one or more functional units (FUs) over a statically configured interconnect. The discussion encompasses an in-depth explanation of how to model architectures, resulting in the development of an area and energy model for Blocks. The accuracy of this model is validated against fully implemented architectures, demonstrating that it is three orders of magnitude faster than traditional synthesis while maintaining a remarkably acceptable error margin.

The book concludes with a case study that showcases the application of Blocks in a real System-on-Chip (SoC). The study encompasses a RISC architecture, the Blocks CGRA, and various peripherals. This practical example provides a tangible demonstration of the benefits and practical implications of employing Blocks in modern computing systems.

In summary, this book offers a comprehensive and insightful examination of Blocks, a novel and highly reconfigurable architecture. It provides a solid foundation for understanding CGRAs and their role in modern computing systems. Through its detailed analysis, case study, and modeling techniques, the book equips readers with the knowledge and tools necessary to leverage the power of Blocks in developing innovative and efficient computing solutions.

Weight: 361g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030797768
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022