gical approach. Although other companies such as MIPS and ARM historically preceded Tensilica in the area of licensing RISC CPU IP cores, Tensilica along with Improv Systems can be considered pioneers of the idea of configurable processors. Although Improv Systems used the embedded VLIW approach with a tightly controlled toolset, Tensilica's current and prior products have worked on the RISC model while enabling customers to automatically generate their own customized tools. The company, how- ever, recently unveiled Flexible-Length Instruction Extension (FLIX)-its new VLIW architecture, which was developed in partnership with a major semiconductor manufacturer. The new architecture can be configured to provide an optimal match to the application workload, thus making efficient use of all the processor's resources. Returning to the origins of its configurable processor approach, Tensilica realized that in many designs users Actually need to be able to customize their CPU. Want to eliminate functionality that they do not need. Desire to change functionality (in many cases, altogether) to suit their own application needs. Want to add custom capabilities that would improve the performance of their CPU choice. Want to replace traditional hardware design functions (such as complex finite-state machines [FSMs], packet-processing functions, and Transmission Control Protocol [TCP] offload engines) with the flexibility of a software-programming model that only a programmable processor can pro- vide. The company's recently patented technology is based on Xtensa, an extremely flexible CPU core, and a suite of associated tools that allow the generation of the configuration files that enable the company to generate customized development tools for its users. 1 1. Tom R. Halfhill and Rich Belgard, "Tensilica Patents Raise Eyebrows: Legal Protection of Configurable-CPU Technology Could Frustrate Competitors," Microprocessor Report (December 9, 2002). This is also available online by subscription at www.mdronline.com/mpr/h/2002/1