COMCAS project

COmmunication-centric heterogeneous Multi-Core ArchitectureS is a CATRENE project aimed at breakthrough low-power design solutions for (data) communication-centric heterogeneous multi-core architectures targeting 45 nm and 32 nm CMOS technologies.

COMCAS technology

The COMCAS architectures will be exploited in a number of future applications e.g. the next generation of programmable multi-processor mobile phones and mobile digital entertainment devices. COMCAS focuses on communication-centric multi-processor architectures which call for disruptive solutions (new tool chains, architecture, circuit and software tools for applications mapping) for a level of complexity never engineered before. The heterogeneous multi-core design solutions developed in COMCAS will have a potential to increase the energy efficiency by a factor of 5, with a performance that is at least equal to that of today’s systems. The new technologies used in the COMCAS platforms, combined with the lower power consumption, allow for the design of smaller form factor devices capable of delivering HD video, high-resolution imaging, and desktop-class 3D graphics.

COMCAS project themes

COMCAS investigations concern the complete low-power design hierarchy, looking at the following aspects:

  • system-level choices
  • modeling of applications (algorithms, protocols) and architectures
  • maximizing the reuse of existing IPs using the most appropriate tool chains
  • partitioning and mapping
  • cycle-accurate and bit-true virtual prototyping
  • minimal power design blending semi- and full custom circuit designs at transistor level in technologies of 45 nm and beyond

Project participants comprise industry partners, research institutes and universities from the Netherlands, France and Spain.

For more information about the COMCAS project, please visit www.comcas.eu