≥27% more efficientEnCore processor comparedwith a typical embeddedprocessor such as an ARMCortex M3.

≥50% less powerused than other processorssuch as ARM Cortex M3.

MP3 players and 4Gmobile phones could bemore energy efficientthanks to a versatile microprocessor developed as part of a projectfunded by EPSRC at the University of Edinburgh.

Designed using a new automatedapproach, the processor, known asEnCore, is smaller, faster and usessignificantly less power than similarcommercial chips. It would extend batterylife when used in small, low-powered,battery-operated devices, such as MP3players or mobile phones.

IMPACT ON INDUSTRY, THEENVIRONMENT AND THECONSUMER> This new approach should allow

industry to innovate effectively and getnew products to market more quickly.

> The new microprocessors should helpindustry produce more energy efficientdevices with ever greater functionality.

> EnCore devices would use less energy toachieve the same level of computationalperformance.

> The potential to use one chip for manypurposes, or to upgrade to extend itslife, would reduce the rate at whichdevices become obsolete.

> EnCore devices would need rechargingless frequently.

> Consumers should benefit from devicesthat cost less and boast more functions.

Synthetic processorsThe EnCore processor is part of a largerEPSRC project to automate the processof designing future microprocessors. Thisfirst EnCore processor (codenamed Calton)is the starting point from which the teamwill go on to create ‘synthetic processors’.

The key innovation is this syntheticapproach, explains project leaderProfessor Nigel Topham from theUniversity of Edinburgh. “In practice, thismeans that we have software tools thatwill examine application software and

determine how to add more instructionsto the processor, and also design thelogic to implement those instructions.These tools will eventually learn how tooptimise their decision-making proceduresand out-perform human designers.”

Working perfectlyThe research team have spent four yearsworking on EnCore. The microprocessorwas manufactured onto a silicon chip andthen tested. “It worked perfectly,” recallsProfessor Topham. “Having seen thisproject through from the drawing boardto a functioning computer, I am delightedwith how well the chip performs in termsof its stability and low power consumption.”

The latest developmentNow there is a newer version of EnCorein fabrication. This chip (codenamedCastle) extends Calton by including anautomatically-synthesised accelerator.“A key innovation,” explains ProfessorTopham, “is that this chip allows theinstruction set of the processor to bechanged dynamically to meet the needs ofthe application.” With most commercialprocessors only the software can bechanged, not the processor.

This advantage makes it suitable for avariety of electronic devices, such asaudio (MP3) and video (MPEG4) devices,as well as smart-cards and biometricdevices. It also means that, in principle,an EnCore device would use less energythan other processors as designers couldoptimise the processor to the application.

For more information aboutEPSRC and the impact it is makingvisit www.epsrc.ac.uk

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council I Case study 25

NEW MICROPROCESSORCOULD EXTENDBATTERY LIFE

8660_case study 25_microprocessor_AW.qxd:EPSRC 21/1/10 15:42 Page 1

50%LESSPOWERUSED

THANOTHERPROCESSORSSUCHASARMCORTEXM3

Engineering and Physical SciencesResearch Council

www.epsrc.ac.uk

8660_case study 25_microprocessor_AW.qxd:EPSRC 21/1/10 15:42 Page 2