An open systems approach to real-time signal processing using AltiVec technology

Abstract

Providing vector processing in a standard RISC chip, the AltiVecTM technology enhancements to the PowerPC/sup TM/ architecture hold the promise of the signal processing power of a DSP chip with the programming ease of a RISC chip. This paper explores how this new technology can fit into an open architecture for real-time image and signal processing. The open systems architecture described herein includes both software and hardware components. The open software architecture addresses how to achieve high performance and productivity for signal processing algorithms while using standard APIs and high-level languages to promote portability and maintainability. The hardware architecture addresses high-performance memory subsystem design and scalable communication bandwidth between multiple processors, also adhering to standards to facilitate technology insertion. The paper then addresses how to integrate AltiVec technology into the open software and hardware architectures. Finally, an example implementation is provided for a real-time multiprocessor system.