CISE-NSF-CNPq Collaboration Research

该项目涉及通过加州大学欧文分校(UCI)和里约热内卢联邦大学(UFRJ)的研究人员和学生之间的密切合作，开发一种新的可重新配置的计算体系结构，称为MorPhoSys。这种独特的体系结构在同一芯片上结合了可重构单指令多数据(SIMD)协处理器和RISC核心微处理器。此外，为了满足图像/信号处理应用的特殊需求，MorPhoSys架构包括一个独特的图像数据缓冲区，以实现高效的数据流。对M1芯片的行为级仿真表明，该体系结构非常适合于各种应用(MPEG-2和ATR)，性能远远优于标准通用微处理器，接近基于专用ASIC的解决方案。UCI和UFRJ的研究人员一直在为开发M1芯片的行为模型而密切合作。UFRJ研究小组设计了用于控制M1中的SIMD协处理器的RISC核。这个模块被认为是芯片中最复杂的组件之一，需要定制和可合成的电路。建议UFRJ小组处理RISC核心的物理设计，而UCI小组完成M1芯片的剩余块，该芯片估计拥有超过150万个晶体管。除了物理设计，UCI和UFRJ两个团队合作的其他目标包括为M1开发编程和测试环境，为广泛的应用程序绘制地图和进行性能评估，以及设计MorphSys体系结构的第二版本。我们认为，这一合作将通过为巴西UCI和UFRJ的学生提供机会，让他们利用最新技术在竞争激烈、面向目标的多元文化环境中工作，从而增强他们的教育体验。

This project involves development of a new reconfigurable computing architecture, called MorphoSys, through close collaboration among researchers and students at University of California, Irvine (UCI) and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). This unique architecture combines a reconfigurable Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) coprocessor with a RISC core microprocessor on the same chip. Moreover, in order to address the special needs of image/signal processing applications, the MorphoSys architecture includes a unique image data buffer for efficient data streaming. Behavioral level simulation of the M1 chip has shown the architecture to be quite promising for a variety of applications (MPEG-2 and ATR), achieving performance much more superior to the standard general purpose microprocessors and close to specialized ASIC-based solutions.The UCI and UFRJ researchers have been working closely for the development of the behavioral model of M1 chip. The UFRJ research group has designed the RISC core that is used for controlling the SIMD coprocessor in M1. This block is considered one of the most complex components of the chip requiring custom-made as well as synthesizable circuits. It is proposed that UFRJ group handle the physical design of the RISC core, while the UCI group completes the remaining blocks of the M1 chip that is estimated to have more than 1.5 million transistors. Along with physical design, the other objectives for collaboration between the two groups at UCI and UFRJ include development of programming and testing environment for M1, mapping and performance evaluation for a wide range of applications, and design of second version of the MorphoSys architecture. We visualize that this collaboration will enhance the educational experience of students both at UCI and at UFRJ in Brazil, by providing them an opportunity to work in a competitive, target-oriented, multi-cultural environment using the latest technology.