Visconti: multi-VLIW image recognition processor based on configurable processor [obstacle detection applications]

An 18-GOPS multi-VLIW image recognition processor, "Visconti" (vision based sensing, control, and intelligence), for intelligent vehicle applications is described. Three 3-way VLIW processors are integrated into a single chip with peripheral modules such as an SDRAM controller, video I/Os and a Flash ROM controller. The VLIW processor is designed based on Toshiba\´s configurable processor known as MeP (media embedded processor) and includes the customized VLIW coprocessor extension which can execute SIMD instructions. Visconti\´s architecture can exploit multi-grain parallelism, data level, instruction level and task level, effectively for its target applications. The chip is fabricated using 0.13 μm CMOS technology and integrates 21 M transistors on a 48.7-mm² die. It operates at 150 MHz in the worst case and consumes 1 W during front observation application using the stereo camera-based vision system at video rate.