Good Summer Reading: Using Processors in the SOC Dataplane

To effectively use processors in the dataplane, designers need a quick, fool-proof way to customize those processors for the exact task at hand. A dataplane processor (or "DPU") naturally connects to existing RTL blocks and provides additional computational horsepower tailored to the exact data type needed - all this with less effort than hand-coding RTL finite state machines or microcoded engines. With a DPU's programmability, designers now have the flexibility to make changes close to and after silicon production. This white paper explains how DPUs can be effectively used in the SOC dataplane.