MeP（Media embedded Processor）
Media embedded Processor (MeP) is a processor for media processing based on Toshiba's original architecture. Given its flexible configuration and extensibility, MeP can be customized for targeted applications.
Overview of MePcore
- MePcore is a configurable and extensible processor core.
- 32-bit RISC architecture
- High code efficiency due to 32-bit/16-bit variable length instructions
- Supports optional instructions and other configuration items
- Supports interface for hardware extensions
- Fully-synthesizable design not dependent on process technology
- High performance and low power consumption
Configuration Items
- It is possible to set up the optimum configuration by selecting the optional instructions or cache memory size required for media processing.
- Optional instructions
- 32-bit multiplication/division, bit manipulation, zero detection, differential absolute value, and others
- Memory configuration
- Instruction cache: 0 to 16 Kbytes, Direct-mapped or two-way set-associative
- Data cache: 0 to 16 Kbytes, Direct-mapped or two-way set-associative
- Instruction RAM: 0 to 32 Kbytes
- Data RAM: 0 to 128 Kbytes
- Interrupt controller: 1 to 32 interrupt sources and 1, 3, 7, or 15 priority levels
- Timer/counter: 0 to 4 channels
- Debugger Debug support function
- Bus width: 32 or 64 bits
- Endian: Big or Little
Hardware Extensions
- Application-specific extensions can be connected to the MePcore for high-performance processing.
- User-customized instruction (UCI) unit
- Customized instructions for single-cycle arithmetic operations.
- DSP unit
- Customized instructions for multi-cycle arithmetic operations.
- Can access Internal data RAM of MePcore.
- Simultaneous two-bank access to data RAM of MePcore.
- VLIW coprocessor
- Works as a 2-way or 3-way VLIW processor with the MePcore.
- Hardware engines
- Extensible control registers (up to 4K words for each)
Development Environment
- Third-party vendors provide the software development environments that support the configuration items and hardware extensions described here.
- MeP integrator
- Language tools (C/C++ compiler, assembler, and linker)
- Simulator
- Debugger
- Evaluation board
MeP Module
- The MeP module is a processor module customized for specific applications.
- MePcore
- Configurable processor core.
- Extensions
- Four kinds of hardware extensions
- Multiple extensions
- Local bus
- Internal data bus in MeP module
- Hierarchical bus structure for higher transfer efficiency
- DMAC
- Transfers data between the global bus and MePcore or extensions.
- Global bus I/F
- Provides a bus bridge for connection to on-chip bus.
