802.11a transmitter: a case study in microarchitectural exploration

We present a domain-specific approach to representing datapaths for hardware implementations of linear signal transform algorithms. We extend the tensor structure for describing linear transform algorithms, adding the ability to explicitly characterize two important dimensions of datapath architecture. This representation allows both algorithm and datapath to be specified within a single formula and gives the designer the ability to easily consider a wide space of possible datapaths at a high level of abstraction.We have constructed a formula manipulation system based on this representation and have written a compiler that can translate a formula into a hardware implementation. This enables an automatic "push button" compilation flow that produces a register transfer level hardware description from high-level datapath directives and an algorithm (written as a formula). In our experimental results, we demonstrate that this approach yields efficient designs over a large tradeoff space.

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“…To name just a few, [6] is an example of a design with streaming reuse, and cores with streaming and iterative reuse are developed in [2,4,8].…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Formal datapath representation and manipulation for implementing DSP transforms

Milder

Franchetti

Hoe

et al. 2008

Proceedings of the 45th Annual Design Automation Conference

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“…Most importantly, Bluespec compiler offers the ability to synthesize high-quality circuits in a "push-button" manner. Several studies have shown that it is possible to create designs in Bluespec very quickly and once a design is working, to modify its parts to gain much deeper insights into the cost and effectiveness of sub-blocks [2,4,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

H.264 Decoder: A Case Study in Multiple Design Points

Fleming

Lin

Dave

et al. 2008

2008 6th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Formal Methods and Models for Co-Design

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Abstract:H.264, a state-of-the-art video compression standard, is used across a range of products from cell phones to HDTV. These products have vastly different performance, power and cost requirements, necessitating different hardwaresoftware solutions for H.264 decoding. We show that a design methodology and associated tools which support synthesis from high-level descriptions and which allow modular refinement throughout the design cycle, can share the majority of design effort across multiple design points. Using Bluespec SystemVerilog, we have created a variety of designs for the H.264 decoder tuned to support decoding at resolutions ranging from QCIF video (176 × 144 @15 frames/second) to 1080p video (1280 × 1080)p @60 frames/second) in a 180nm process. Some of these design points require major transformations of pipelining to increase performance or to reduce area. We also explore several common design issues surrounding memory structures, such as caches and on-chip vs. off-chip memories.We believe the design methodology used in this paper is directly applicable to many IP blocks involving algorithmic specifications. The same design capabilities also permit rapid microarchitecture exploration and changes in RTL late in the design process even in non-algorithmic IP blocks.

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“…We use a folded pipeline design using the same Bluespec pipelining Table 2. Area and Power Dissipation of WUSB Transmitter framework [5]. Thus it is easy to quickly change the area/performance tradeoff.…”

Section: Technical Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The project started out focusing on studying the cost-area tradeoffs possible in the RTL design of a 802.11a transmitter [5]. As the project progressed it became clear that many of the key blocks in both the transmitter and reciever, the receiver size, it then became clear that many of the key blocks, while complex, were reusable across multiple OFDM-based protocols.…”

Section: Ofdm Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

802.15.3 Transmitter: A Fast Design Cycle Using OFDM Framework in Bluespec

Pitkänen

Hartikainen

Dave

et al.

Lecture Notes in Computer Science

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Abstract. Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) has become the preferred modulation scheme for both broadband and high bitrate digital wireless protocols because of its spectral efficiency and robustness against multipath interference. Although the components and overall structure of different OFDM protocols are functionally similar, the characteristics of the environment for which a wireless protocol is designed often result in different instantiations of various components. In this paper we present a new baseband processing transmitter case, namely 802.15.3 (WUSB), to existing OFDM framework which consists highly parametrized code in Bluespec for two different wireless baseband processing cases, namely 802.11a (WiFi) and 802.16 (WiMAX). The design cycle for transmitter of WUSB took only six week's for two designers which were not familiar with Bluespec, WUSB protocol or the OFDM framework.

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802.11a transmitter: a case study in microarchitectural exploration

Cited by 19 publications

References 7 publications

Formal datapath representation and manipulation for implementing DSP transforms

Formal datapath representation and manipulation for implementing DSP transforms

H.264 Decoder: A Case Study in Multiple Design Points

802.15.3 Transmitter: A Fast Design Cycle Using OFDM Framework in Bluespec

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