i-Core: A run-time adaptive processor for embedded multi-core systems

Abstract

We present the i-Core (Invasive Core), an Application Specific Instruction Set Processor (ASIP) with a run-time adaptive instruction set. Its adaptivity is controlled by the runtime system with respect to application properties that may vary during run-time. A reconfigurable fabric hosts the adaptive part of the instruction set whereas the rest of the instruction set is fixed. We show how the i-Core is integrated into an embedded multi-core system and that it is particularly advantageous in multi-tasking scenarios, where it performs applications-specific as well as system-specific tasks.