Abstract

This paper introduces the design of a novel 32-bit microprocessor based on the RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture. The key innovation is the utilization of a dynamic clock source, which significantly enhances efficiency by proactively overcoming limitations caused by hardware delays. Furthermore, the microprocessor is engineered to handle multi-width instructions, supporting both standard 32-bit and 16-bit compressed instructions, validated through successful testing using ModelSim.

Report

Structured Report: Microprocessor Design Analysis

Key Highlights

• Novel Architecture: The design focuses on a new 32-bit microprocessor based on the RISC-V instruction set.
• Dynamic Clock Source: A dynamic clock mechanism is integrated to achieve high operational efficiency and address constraints imposed by static hardware delays.
• Multi-Width Instruction Support: The core supports both standard 32-bit base instructions and 16-bit compressed instructions, boosting code density.
• Validation: Testing of the design was carried out using ModelSim, yielding an ideal result.

Technical Details

• Core Type: 32-bit microprocessor.
• ISA Base: RISC-V.
• Efficiency Mechanism: Dynamic Clock Source (employed to achieve high efficiency and mitigate hardware delays).
• Instruction Format Support: Base 32-bit instructions and 16-bit compressed instructions (implying support for the RISC-V 'C' extension).
• Verification Tool: ModelSim simulation software was used for design testing.

Implications

• Energy Efficiency and Performance: The dynamic clocking mechanism is a major micro-architectural improvement. By adjusting the clock based on immediate processing needs rather than worst-case scenarios, the design promises superior power efficiency and potential performance gains, crucial for mobile and embedded applications.
• Improved Code Density: Native support for 16-bit compressed instructions (RVC) significantly improves code density. This is vital for memory-constrained environments, reducing memory footprint, lowering costs, and accelerating instruction fetch.
• RISC-V Innovation: This work demonstrates the architectural flexibility and ongoing innovation within the RISC-V ecosystem, showcasing how custom clocking strategies can be combined with ISA extensions to create highly optimized and specialized processors.