≥27% more efficient EnCore processor compared with a typical embedded processor such as an ARM Cortex M3. ≥50% less power used than other processors such as ARM Cortex M3. MP3 players and 4G mobile phones could be more energy efficient thanks to a versatile microprocessor developed as part of a project funded by EPSRC at the University of Edinburgh. Designed using a new automated approach, the processor, known as EnCore, is smaller, faster and uses significantly less power than similar commercial chips. It would extend battery life when used in small, low-powered, battery-operated devices, such as MP3 players or mobile phones. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE CONSUMER > This new approach should allow industry to innovate effectively and get new products to market more quickly. > The new microprocessors should help industry produce more energy efficient devices with ever greater functionality. > EnCore devices would use less energy to achieve the same level of computational performance. > The potential to use one chip for many purposes, or to upgrade to extend its life, would reduce the rate at which devices become obsolete. > EnCore devices would need recharging less frequently. > Consumers should benefit from devices that cost less and boast more functions. Synthetic processors The EnCore processor is part of a larger EPSRC project to automate the process of designing future microprocessors. This first EnCore processor (codenamed Calton) is the starting point from which the team will go on to create ‘synthetic processors’. The key innovation is this synthetic approach, explains project leader Professor Nigel Topham from the University of Edinburgh. “In practice, this means that we have software tools that will examine application software and determine how to add more instructions to the processor, and also design the logic to implement those instructions. These tools will eventually learn how to optimise their decision-making procedures and out-perform human designers.” Working perfectly The research team have spent four years working on EnCore. The microprocessor was manufactured onto a silicon chip and then tested. “It worked perfectly,” recalls Professor Topham. “Having seen this project through from the drawing board to a functioning computer, I am delighted with how well the chip performs in terms of its stability and low power consumption.” The latest development Now there is a newer version of EnCore in fabrication. This chip (codenamed Castle) extends Calton by including an automatically-synthesised accelerator. “A key innovation,” explains Professor Topham, “is that this chip allows the instruction set of the processor to be changed dynamically to meet the needs of the application.” With most commercial processors only the software can be changed, not the processor. This advantage makes it suitable for a variety of electronic devices, such as audio (MP3) and video (MPEG4) devices, as well as smart-cards and biometric devices. It also means that, in principle, an EnCore device would use less energy than other processors as designers could optimise the processor to the application. For more information about EPSRC and the impact it is making visit www.epsrc.ac.uk Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council I Case study 25 NEW MICROPROCESSOR COULD EXTEND BATTERY LIFE

New Microprocessor could extend battery life

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MP3 players and 4Gmobile phones could bemore energy efficient thanks to a versatilemicroprocessor developed as part of a project funded by EPSRC at the University of Edinburgh.

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Page 1: New Microprocessor could extend battery life

≥27% more efficientEnCore processor comparedwith a typical embeddedprocessor such as an ARMCortex M3.

≥50% less powerused than other processorssuch as ARM Cortex M3.

MP3 players and 4Gmobile phones could bemore energy efficientthanks to a versatile microprocessor developed as part of a projectfunded by EPSRC at the University of Edinburgh.

Designed using a new automatedapproach, the processor, known asEnCore, is smaller, faster and usessignificantly less power than similarcommercial chips. It would extend batterylife when used in small, low-powered,battery-operated devices, such as MP3players or mobile phones.

IMPACT ON INDUSTRY, THEENVIRONMENT AND THECONSUMER> This new approach should allow

industry to innovate effectively and getnew products to market more quickly.

> The new microprocessors should helpindustry produce more energy efficientdevices with ever greater functionality.

> EnCore devices would use less energy toachieve the same level of computationalperformance.

> The potential to use one chip for manypurposes, or to upgrade to extend itslife, would reduce the rate at whichdevices become obsolete.

> EnCore devices would need rechargingless frequently.

> Consumers should benefit from devicesthat cost less and boast more functions.

Synthetic processorsThe EnCore processor is part of a largerEPSRC project to automate the processof designing future microprocessors. Thisfirst EnCore processor (codenamed Calton)is the starting point from which the teamwill go on to create ‘synthetic processors’.

The key innovation is this syntheticapproach, explains project leaderProfessor Nigel Topham from theUniversity of Edinburgh. “In practice, thismeans that we have software tools thatwill examine application software and

determine how to add more instructionsto the processor, and also design thelogic to implement those instructions.These tools will eventually learn how tooptimise their decision-making proceduresand out-perform human designers.”

Working perfectlyThe research team have spent four yearsworking on EnCore. The microprocessorwas manufactured onto a silicon chip andthen tested. “It worked perfectly,” recallsProfessor Topham. “Having seen thisproject through from the drawing boardto a functioning computer, I am delightedwith how well the chip performs in termsof its stability and low power consumption.”

The latest developmentNow there is a newer version of EnCorein fabrication. This chip (codenamedCastle) extends Calton by including anautomatically-synthesised accelerator.“A key innovation,” explains ProfessorTopham, “is that this chip allows theinstruction set of the processor to bechanged dynamically to meet the needs ofthe application.” With most commercialprocessors only the software can bechanged, not the processor.

This advantage makes it suitable for avariety of electronic devices, such asaudio (MP3) and video (MPEG4) devices,as well as smart-cards and biometricdevices. It also means that, in principle,an EnCore device would use less energythan other processors as designers couldoptimise the processor to the application.

For more information aboutEPSRC and the impact it is makingvisit www.epsrc.ac.uk

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council I Case study 25

NEW MICROPROCESSORCOULD EXTENDBATTERY LIFE

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