Configurable Processors: What, Why, How?

A new type of processor core that can be tailored for specific applications — the configurable processor — has been getting a lot of attention lately. It is much faster, more efficient, and is capable of much more than the standard embedded microprocessor. Configurable processors can even be used in place of hand-coded RTL hardware in IC designs.

What is a configurable processor? What can configurable processors do? Why would anyone want to use this type of processor? How can a configurable processor replace hand-coded RTL hardware? This white paper answers all of these questions.