Chapter 1 - Introduction

Abstract

This chapter provides an introduction to embedded multicore processors. A multicore processor consists of multiple central processing units (CPUs) residing in one physical package and interfaced to a motherboard. Using multicore processors can result in faster execution time, increased throughput, and lower power usage for embedded applications. The expectation is that the ratio of multicore processors sold to single core processors sold will trend even higher over time as the technical needs and economics make sense in increasing numbers of market segments. The Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5100 series is an example of a multicore/multiprocessor that features two dual-core Core™ processors in one system. A single Intel® Core™ 2 Quad processor delivers on the order of 30,000 million floating-point operations a second (MFLOPS) and a single Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor delivers on the order of 15,000 MFLOPS. These machines are tied together using Parallel Virtual Machine or Message Passing Interface, and complete the same ray-tracing algorithms working on larger problem sizes, and finishing them in faster times than single core/single processor systems. Multitasking is the ability to run multiple processes at the same time. Partitioning is the activity of assigning cores to run specific operating systems. Multitasking and partitioning derive performance benefits from multicore processors. For embedded applications, partitioning is a key technique that can lead to substantial improvements in performance or reductions in cost.