A Network Service for DSP Multicomputers

Abstract

Programmers of embedded digital signal processors often have to deal with the devices of the platform or with low level hardware abstraction layers in order to reach the better performance from a given algorithm. This complexity increases when the application is distributed on multicomputers such as those by Sundance^TM, Hunt Engineering^TM, etc. These machines are loosely coupled networks based on carrier boards hosting modules of digital signal processors and FPGAs. This paper describes the design and implementation of a network layer library for these platforms. We show how, without a significative lost of performance, it improves the portability of target applications by avoiding the hardware communication complexities. More important yet, it broadens the spectrum of network applications and middlewares that these powerful platforms can support.