Optimizing Performance, Power and Area in SoC Designs Using MIPS Multi-threaded Processors

This paper provides a brief history of hardware-based multi-threading and some examples of its commercial adoption so far. It then gives an overview of the fundamental value of multi-threading in hardware, and describes MIPS Technologies' multi-threading architecture and product offerings, including the latest interAptiv family of 32-bit, multi-core CPUs. The paper also provides several multi-threaded application examples—including those in the areas of driver assistance systems and home gateways—to demonstrate the value of multi-threading across a broad range of real-world applications.