| To adequately evaluate the advantages of the configurable processors in the design of network processors, we proposed an improved partitioning methodology, adapted to their use. In our approach, when the software does not produce the requested performance, a new alternative is then privileged to the old one. Taking into account their advantages, the use of specialized instructions is now considered before that of coprocessors.;Thereafter, we chose the StepNP platform for fast architectural exploration. Since it was available and already includes components libraries for network processors and a tool set for debugging and performance analysis. Based on SystemC, StepNP eases the design and the integration of new modules. However, because it had no support for configurable processors, we integrated into it the Tensilica's Xtensa ISS. A monoprocessor platform has then been easily developed.;Finally, we developed two network applications. Largely used for level 3 communications and consisting of different network tasks, an Ipv4 implementation was first selected. Then, to fill the lack of complex algorithms, we added the DES-CBC encryption algorithm.;We applied the proposed approach to each specification. The results of this research show that using specialized instructions is easy and can significantly improve some network tasks without increasing the design complexity. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
