Hierarchical instruction encoding for VLIW digital signal processors

Abstract

VLIW-based architectures are very popular in high-performance DSP processors, for their relatively simpler implementations and more predictable execution times. But they need more program memory because of (1) the fixed-length instruction encoding, (2) NOP insertion due to limited parallelism, and (3) repetitive codes for loop unrolling. This paper describes a novel hierarchical instruction encoding that address these three problems to improve the VLIW code density. In our simulations, the proposed encoding scheme saves 61.4%-66.9% code sizes in highly parallel DSP kernels, and more savings can be expected for general programs. Besides, a simple decoding architecture is proposed and has been integrated into a 4-way VLIW DSP processor. The prototype is implemented in the 0.18um CMOS technology with its operating frequency at 208MHz.