How does the XPRES Compiler work?
A8: A simple 5-step process explains how the XPRES Compiler is used. Step 1. Compile the original C/C++ application code. No recoding is required. Tensilica’s C/C++ compiler generates information about the application, performing such functions as ranking code regions by frequency, determining which loops can be vectorized, generating dataflow graphs for important regions, and performing operation counts for each type of opcode for every region. Step 2. Run the XPRES Compiler to determine the best processor configuration and extensions for that code. The XPRES Compiler evaluates all generated configurations across all regions and determines the best set of merged configurations given a particular gate-count budget. The XPRES Compiler is able to conduct abstract evaluations and search through millions of configuration possibilities, usually in less than an hour. Step 3. (Optional) Manually tune the automatically generated custom configuration. Power users will want to refine or optimize
