A soft core (also called softcore) is a
digital circuit
In theoretical computer science, a circuit is a model of computation in which input values proceed through a sequence of gates, each of which computes a function. Circuits of this kind provide a generalization of Boolean circuits and a mathematica ...
that can be wholly implemented using
logic synthesis
In computer engineering, logic synthesis is a process by which an abstract specification of desired circuit behavior, typically at register transfer level (RTL), is turned into a design implementation in terms of logic gates, typically by a co ...
. It can be implemented via different
semiconductor
A semiconductor is a material with electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. Its conductivity can be modified by adding impurities (" doping") to its crystal structure. When two regions with different doping level ...
devices containing programmable logic (e.g.,
ASIC
An application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC ) is an integrated circuit (IC) chip customized for a particular use, rather than intended for general-purpose use, such as a chip designed to run in a digital voice recorder or a high-efficien ...
,
FPGA
A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is a type of configurable integrated circuit that can be repeatedly programmed after manufacturing. FPGAs are a subset of logic devices referred to as programmable logic devices (PLDs). They consist of a ...
,
CPLD), including both high-end and commodity variations. Many soft cores may be implemented in one FPGA.
In those
multi-core
A multi-core processor (MCP) is a microprocessor on a single integrated circuit (IC) with two or more separate central processing units (CPUs), called ''cores'' to emphasize their multiplicity (for example, ''dual-core'' or ''quad-core''). Ea ...
systems, rarely used resources can be shared between all the cores.
Examples of soft core implementations are
soft microprocessor
A soft microprocessor (also called softcore microprocessor or a soft processor) is a microprocessor core that can be wholly implemented using logic synthesis. It can be implemented via different semiconductor devices containing programmable logic ...
s, graphics chips like
AGA or
Open Graphics Project, harddisc controllers etc.
See also
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SoC (System-on-a-chip)
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PSoC (Programmable System on a Chip)
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FPGA (Field-programmable gate array)
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Reconfigurable computing
Reconfigurable computing is a computer architecture combining some of the flexibility of software with the high performance of hardware by processing with flexible hardware platforms like FPGA, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The princip ...
*
Minimig
Minimig (a portmanteau of ''Mini Amiga'') is an open source re-implementation of an Amiga 500 using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).
Minimig started around January 2005 as a proof of concept by Dutch electrical engineer Dennis van Wee ...
- Example implementation of custom chips replications
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Open-source hardware
Open-source hardware (OSH, OSHW) consists of physical artifact (software development), artifacts of technology designed and offered by the open-design movement. Both free and open-source software (FOSS) and open-source hardware are created by th ...
*
List of open source hardware projects
This is a list of open-source hardware projects, including computer systems and components, cameras, radio, telephony, science education, machines and tools, robotics, renewable energy, home automation, medical and biotech, automotive, prototypi ...
References
{{Reflist
External links
Microprocessor coreson Opencores.org (Expand the "Processor" tab)
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Open hardware electronic devices