Nvidia has licensed Tensilica.

[Brimstone]

Tensilica’s Xtensa LX Processor Licensed by NVIDIA

SANTA CLARA, CA – January 17, 2005 – Tensilica, Inc. today announced that NVIDIA Corporation has licensed the Xtensa LX configurable processor. This license will allow NVIDIA to add specialized functions to its outstanding graphics capabilities in new system-on-chip (SOC) designs.

http://www.tensilica.com/html/pr_2005_01_17a.html


Sorry if this has been posted, I couldn't find it anywhere.






Also MPR has named Xtensa LX “Best IP-Core Processor†of 2004.

“We saw significant activity in the IP-core market this year with many companies announcing new products, but Tensilica’s introduction of the Xtensa LX and its revolutionary tool, the XPRES design compiler, made it the clear winner,†said Tom R. Halfhill, Senior Analyst, Microprocessor Report. “Even without XPRES, Xtensa LX would be the leading contender for this award, but the combination is unbeatable.â€

http://www.tensilica.com/html/pr_2005_01_24a.html


Some might find the information posted in this old thread convinent to learn a little bit about the technology. The title of the thread, "How long before we see a tensilica cpu plus powerVR together?" is a bit ironic, since ATI and Nvidia have already gotten a license before Power VR.

old thread about Tensilica

 

[pc999]

If this is so good why this will not be the main processor in next gen consoles ( it could appear from ATI or Nvidia but not as primary force,right? )

 

[Brimstone]

If this is so good why this will not be the main processor in next gen consoles ( it could appear from ATI or Nvidia but not as primary force,right? )

Tensilica isn't a large company yet. One of the founders, was a key member of MIPS.


Standfords Smart Memories Project is using Tensilica cores, but this is more of a college lab experiment, not real world dollars being spent.


http://www-vlsi.stanford.edu/smart_memories/stuff/posters/SM HW Poster 03-09.pdf

http://www-vlsi.stanford.edu/smart_memories/stuff/posters/SM SW Poster 03-09.pdf

http://www-vlsi.stanford.edu/smart_memories/stuff/posters/SM HW Poster 04-03.pdf

 

[_xxx_]

That's just a design tool for the chip manufacturers, nothing special. Usuall business.

 

[pc999]

Thanks for the update,I will try understand them later ( no time now ) ... BTW are you saying smart memory for gfx cards?

To the mods: Sorry the 3X post but I had an error.

 

[Brimstone]

That's just a design tool for the chip manufacturers, nothing special. Usuall business.

Tensilica has their own IP core line-up called Xtensa and they have software patents on their tools.

 

[PC-Engine]

ImgTec has Metagence.

 

[RussSchultz]

ImgTec has Metagence.

Metagence is a different beast than what Tensilica offers.

Metagence is hardware accellerated multi-threading.

Tensilica's xtensa is a risc core with a toolset that enables the licensee of the core to easily extend it with new instructions that are targetted at the application desired.

They have a spiffy setup where you write your instructions in a vhdl like language, and they go off an generate a new core and compiler on the fly. By using a profiler to target the right functions, you can immensely speed up specific data processing algorithms. (it does wonders for bitstuffing, for example)

 

[Ailuros]

Tensilica's xtensa is a risc core with a toolset that enables the licensee of the core to easily extend it with new instructions that are targetted at the application desired.

META is a RISC/DSP core or not?

Deliverables

• Fully synthesisable VHDL
• Synthesis scripts
• Test harnesses
• Development tools, including behavioural C simulator
• Documentation

http://www.metagence.com/Products/Meta/index.asp

http://www.metagence.com/Products/Meta/Index.asp?Page=4

Albeit it's a field where as a layman I'm lost, I don't see it being not SW programmable/upgradable. What am I missing?

 

[Scott_Arm]

ImgTec has Metagence.

Metagence is a different beast than what Tensilica offers.

Metagence is hardware accellerated multi-threading.

Tensilica's xtensa is a risc core with a toolset that enables the licensee of the core to easily extend it with new instructions that are targetted at the application desired.

They have a spiffy setup where you write your instructions in a vhdl like language, and they go off an generate a new core and compiler on the fly. By using a profiler to target the right functions, you can immensely speed up specific data processing algorithms. (it does wonders for bitstuffing, for example)

So, this is essentiallly a some kind of hybrid between a processor and an FPGA/PLD? Or, can you actually add the new instructions while the processor is in operation?

 

[Simon F]

So, this is essentiallly a some kind of hybrid between a processor and an FPGA/PLD? Or, can you actually add the new instructions while the processor is in operation?

From what Russ just said, it sounds like a synthesis tool that makes designing a CPU with custom operations easier. <shrug>