nd more than 12 times the efficiency of a 32-bit RISC processor core. These processors achieve generally comparable clock frequencies, though the NEC4122 (MIPS32) lags somewhat slightly behind, giving the overall optimized NetMark performance increase shown in Figure 10.9. The net result of these modifications is a new processor, which by its proper configura- tion attains a performance rating that is almost 10 times faster than other popular 64-bit RISC proces- sors on high-throughput networking tasks. More importantly than the exact quantification of any relevant performance improvement, the EEMBC benchmark results have been presented more for their qualitative conclusion. In other words, looking at these comparative numbers, one cannot help but notice the undeniable evidence that exten- sible and configurable processors can achieve significant improvements in throughput across a wide range of embedded applications, relative to good 32- and 64-bit RISC, DSP, and media processor cores. Also keep in mind that results published about comparative performance between IP cores are based upon a simulated chip. This is because it would otherwise be prohibitively expensive for IP companies to design and build a custom chip just to compare their performance with an off-the-shelf processor. Also make sure that the appropriate clock frequencies, semiconductor process technology 4. In addition to checking out the details at the EEMBC web site at www.eembc.org for all the results that we discuss in this chap- ter and that have been independently certified by EEMBC Certification Laboratories (ECL), an interesting article was written by Michael Santarini called "Tensilica Aces Benchmarks, Actel Shoots the Moon," EE Times (September 16, 2002). It is also avail- able online at www.eedesign.com/story/OEG20020916S0023. Downloaded from Digital Engineering Library @ McGraw-Hill (www.digitalengineeringlibrary.com) Copyright © 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved. Any use is subject to the Terms of Use as given at the w