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 | | Algorithmic hardware compilers
To make reconfigurable computers accessible to software programmers and embedded
systems programmers, we have developed tools to compile high level algorithmic
descriptions into hardware. The Streams-C
compiler was one of the first efforts to target hardware/software embedded
systems using a parallel processing model expressed in the C-language. Streams-C is
available in source form for research use (see
the Download page). It has been commercialized by
Impulse Accelerated Technologies.
To facilitate low level design of datapaths and associated controllers, we have
developed the Fabric Generator. This is a Java-based library that facilitates
the creation of customized datapaths, especially for application-specific
cellular arrays. It includes a DSP-style control structure with definite iteration loops, and
additional constructs to allow the fabric cells to synchronize with a microprocessor.
This is especially useful for Systems on a Programmable Chip containing
configurable logic cells and microprocessors.
We are currently developing a new compiler. The compiler uses the LLVM compiler infrastructure as a front end, and draws on the BYU Sea Cucumber
synthesizing compiler for backend code generation.
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