A processor softcore is a Processeur implemented on a reprogrammable system like a FPGA. One then speaks about system on programmable chip ( System one Programmable Chip or SoPC).

Presentation

Structure very flexible from its nature, an implementation softcore can be reconfigured in any time contrary with a processor known as '' hardcore '' whose heart has its own chip which cannot be modified. A processor softcore thus adapts to the needs for its developers and the material constraints (peripheral, performances, resources, consumption, etc).

However, its performances are lower than those of a processor hardcore . A processor softcore is n the other hand easier to maintain and can be carried towards a ASIC ( application specific integrated circuit ). A softcore is in general programmed in a language of material description like VHDL or the Verilog.

List processors softcore

Among the most known processors softcore , one can quote NIOS of the company Altera, the Microblaze of Xilinx and the LEON from Gaisler Research. You will find below a list a little more complete.

Owners

• MicroBlaze (Xilinx)

• PicoBlaze (Xilinx)
• NIOS (Deteriorated)
• NIOS II (Altera)

Open Source

• Mico8 (Lattice)

• Mico32 (Lattice)
• LEON (Gaisler Research)
• OpenRISC (OpenCores.org)

List Clones (open-source)

The processors softcore according to are clones (more or less complete) of processors owners:

• AeMB (OpenCores.org) (clone of MicroBlaze)

• OpenFire (clone of MicroBlaze)

See too

Internal bonds

• SoPC

• Plowshare
• FPGA

External bonds

• Plowshare Page and SoPC de P. Kadionik