A self-reconfigurable processor

Recent developments in the design and fabrication of field programmable logic devices (FPGAs) may well change the way in which one designs and fabricates conventional microprocessors. The use of uncommitted logic whose function may be modified at run time makes the prospect of dynamic application specific integrated circuits closer to reality than ever before. Much of the work to date on reconfigurable logic has focussed on its application in co-processor and 'glue' roles. This paper discusses how complete processors might be fabricated with a minimum of 'fixed' or static logic. It is shown that in order to exploit FPGAs, a processor that is radically different from conventional architectures is required. The paper concludes by considering what evolutions of current logic families would favour this type of application.<>