CHIMPSY - a Modular Processor-System for High-Performance Communication

Flexible implementation platfonns for integrated service communication subsystems providing high perfonnance capabilities are increasingly required. Dedicated VLSI components can be used for time-critical processing tasks in order to provide high perfonnance. The highly modular VLSI implementation architecture designed with parametrizable and programmable components allows for service fleXIbility. The architecture is not limited to a certain protocol, but allows the implementation of a variety of high-speed protocols. Furthennore, this architecture supports the mapping of a formal protocol specification onto a powerful implementation architecture. This paper describes the architecture in general and dedicated components in detail. It also shows the design flow for a communication subsystem using the introduced components. Preliminary perfonnance results are presented and compared with measurements of typical software implementations.