Contrasting multi-synchronous MPSoC design styles for fine-grained clock domain partitioning: the full-HD video playback case study

Abstract

Fine-grained (per-core) multi-synchronous systems calls for new clocking strategies and new architecture design techniques. This paper compares two fundamental multi-synchronous implementation variants based on the extensive use of dual-clock FIFOs vs mesochronous synchronizers respectively. The architecture-homogeneous experimental setting, the cost-effective merging of synchronizers with NoC switch buffers, the sharing of as many physical synthesis steps as possible between the two architectures and the requirements of a realistic full-HD video playback application are the key innovations of this study.