Bitstream processing for embedded systems using C++ metaprogramming

This paper suggests a new approach for bitstream processing of embedded systems, using a combination of C++ metaprogramming combined with architecture extensions of an customizable embedded processor. Firstly, by using C++ metaprogramming techniques, we are able to code application software that needs to manipulate bitstreams in a very compact manner. Secondly, by using the architecture extensions of the Tensilica embedded processor indirectly via C++ operator overloading, the application code can seamlessly exploit custom architecture extensions. The intention is to do bitstream related processing with low programming effort, while generating runtime efficient code. Compared to other bitstream processing approaches we require no compiler modifications to exploit custom architecture features. Rather we put the bitstream related manipulation functionality into an active library, generated by a C++ metaprogram.