An open-source framework for heterogeneous MPSoC generation

The design of a Multiprocessor System-on-Chip (MPSoC) is a complex task, including steps as application development, platform configuration, code generation, task mapping onto the platform and debugging. An integrated environment covering most of these steps is a gap in the literature. The present work first details an MPSoC architecture, which supports the execution of distributed applications, including an operating system enabling multitask execution at each processing element. The MPSoC is heterogeneous, due to the support to different processor architectures. Then, a framework able to cover the design steps previously mentioned is presented. The framework enables the design space exploration for applications to be executed in the MPSoC, varying for example the number and type of processors, the memory size, the task mapping. Results demonstrate the correct operation for different MPSoC configurations, generated from the proposed framework. Such open-source framework enables the research community to investigate new subjects related to MPSoC and Network on Chip (NoC) design, as well as evaluate distributed applications in a multiprocessor environment.