Implementation characteristics
PicoSky/FT processor is technology independent IP core. The following table provides resources utilization and maximum frequency for Microsemi RT/ProASIC3-A3PE3000 FPGA family. Resources utilization for other FPGA vendors available upon request.
|
Resource utilization* [VersaTiles]
|
Frequency [MHz]
|
Performance benchmark [CoreMark/MHz]
|
| PicoSky-C |
3606 (4.8%) |
24 |
0.60 |
| PicoSkyFT-C |
5402 (7.1%) |
22 |
* PicoSky configured as compact memory model with all available features, as debug support unit with hardware breakpoint support, multiplication instructions, trace buffer support, interrupt controller, sleep functionality, etc.
PicoSky processor technology is a smallest high performance processor core on market.
Its implementation foot-print beats all the market leading processor cores as shows resource utilization comparison table below. Its true resources advantage is even more apparent when processor is integrated into a SoC. Considering processor’s FT version represents highly optimized resource overhead.
|
Resource utilization
factor*
|
CoreMark performance factor
|
| Cores |
[alternative / PicoSky-C] |
[alternative / PicoSkyFT-C] |
[PicoSkyFT-C / alternative] |
| Core8051s |
118% |
79% |
5.45 |
| AVR Core |
122% |
81% |
1.11 |
| openMSP430 |
139% |
93% |
0.72 |
| Microblaze |
263% |
176% |
0.32 |
| LEON3 |
379% |
253% |
0.33 |
| LEON3FT |
397% |
265% |
0.33 |
| openRISC |
390% |
269% |
0.45 |
* Resource utilization comparison is based on processors' utilization information available online for Microsemi ProASIC3/e FPGA target technology.
PicoSky delivers high processing power that beats to the draw almost all 8/16-bit processor architectures, despite of its smallest-footprint implementation.
Radiation effects
PicoSkyFT fault tolerance to SEE is proven by the radiation testing campaigns with high energy protons (PSI-PFI) and ultra-high energy heavy ions (CERN NA-SPS-H8). The PicoSkyFT was implemented in FPGA susceptible to SEE. Nominal operation was obtained during 4 days of radiation test with highly accelerated environmental simulation. During irradiation no computational errors, processor hangs or other anomalies occurred. PicoSkyFT shows remarkable fault tolerance to the induced soft-errors. Radiation testing campaigns confirmed the processor is SEFI free and its 100% safe operation, thus ensuring outstanding operational robustness and computational integrity in high radiation environment. That makes processor ideal solution for aerospace or other safety critical applications.
