Compiler Tool supports multi-core ARM CPUs.
Press Release Summary:
Supporting ARM-based ST-Ericsson NovaThor(TM) platforms, PGI OpenCL Framework includes PGI OpenCL device compiler, which compiles OpenCL kernels for parallel execution on processor. PGCL driver processes source files containing C99, C++, or OpenCL program units, and uses Android native development kit versions of gcc and g++ to compile OpenCL host code. OpenCL Platform Layer provides library of routines to query platform capabilities and create execution contexts from OpenCL host code.
Original Press Release:
The Portland Group Ships OpenCL Compiler for Multi-core ARM
PGI OpenCL framework targets ST-Ericsson NovaThor mobile platform
Portland, Ore., -The Portland Group® (PGI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of STMicroelectronics and the leading independent supplier of compilers and tools for high-performance computing, today announced the general availability of the PGI OpenCL framework for ARM-based ST-Ericsson NovaThor(TM) platforms. The framework includes a PGI OpenCL compiler for multi-core ARM CPUs as a compute device and complements OpenCL for GPUs. NovaThor is a highly integrated complete mobile product platform with performance and power optimized multi-core ARM® Cortex(TM) A-series CPUs, advanced graphics processors, powerful multimedia engines, and the latest mobile broadband and connectivity technologies. With this announcement, The Portland Group extends its product line to encompass both OpenCL and multi-core ARM-based microprocessors.
OpenCL is a programming model for heterogenous computing systems comprised of CPUs, GPUs and other computing devices, and has been standardized by Khronos and adopted by a number of CPU and GPU manufacturers including Intel, AMD/ATI, NVIDIA and Imagination Technologies. PGI OpenCL is the first OpenCL compiler for Android targeting multi-core ARM processors as an OpenCL compute device. ARM processors power the vast majority of mobile and embedded computing platforms.
"PGI OpenCL enables mobile and embedded developers to create multi-core applications that are more easily portable across the major mobile operating systems," said Douglas Miles, director, The Portland Group. "It includes support for multi-core ARM on ST-Ericsson NovaThor platforms today and is designed for future integration of OpenCL device compilers for GPUs and hardware accelerators."
About the PGI OpenCL Framework
In the OpenCL programming model, the host CPU controls all operation of a compute device. The device can be a GPU, another CPU, the host CPU itself running in multi-core mode, or some other type of compute device. The PGI OpenCL framework is comprised of five core components:
o PGI OpenCL device compiler-compiles OpenCL kernels for parallel execution on multi-core ARM processors
o PGCL driver-a command-level driver for processing source files containing C99, C++ or OpenCL program units, including support for static compilation of OpenCL kernels
o OpenCL host compilers-the PGCL driver uses the Android native development kit versions of gcc and g++ to compile OpenCL host code
o OpenCL Platform Layer-a library of routines to query platform capabilities and create execution contexts from OpenCL host code
o OpenCL Runtime Layer-a library of routines and an extensible runtime system used to set up and execute OpenCL kernels on multi-core ARM
The initial release provides OpenCL 1.1 embedded profile support. The PGI OpenCL framework runs on Linux/x86 compilation host platforms and is integrated with the Android NDK toolchain to generate binary executables for ST-Ericsson NovaThor platforms running the Android operating system. It includes support for the many of the latest features and technologies including:
o ARMv7 code generation, including automatic generation of NEON SIMD instructions for operations on OpenCL vector data types
o Offline static compilation of OpenCL programs and kernels
o A command-level interface designed to enable incremental and seamless integration into existing makefiles and application build infrastructures
About NovaThor Platforms
ST-Ericsson's NovaThor platforms fully integrate application engines, modems and connectivity chipsets that allow device manufacturers to quickly roll out advanced smartphones and tablets with advanced multimedia capabilities. NovaThor features support for multiple simultaneous touchscreens and cameras, and it is also the first mobile platform with full High-Definition 1080 progressive-scan camcorder capabilities.
In addition to its advanced multimedia capabilities, NovaThor platform is the first integrated smartphone platform to offer the latest SMP (Symmetric Multi-Processing) dual core technology in a high-performance, low power and cost-optimized package, enabling an immersive multimedia experience for next-generation smartphones. Both cores are identical and can be used independently or combined as one processing engine.
"The PGI OpenCL framework combines PGI compiler technologies developed and honed in the high-performance computing (HPC) market with the royalty-free OpenCL standard," said Teppo Hemia, Head of Platform Business and Architecture at ST-Ericsson. "It enables ST-Ericsson customers to start developing and porting applications on NovaThor using OpenCL as a way to exploit today's multi-core CPUs while maximizing code re-use opportunities for the upcoming CPU/GPU heterogeneous multi-processor systems."
More information on the NovaThor platforms is available from ST-Ericsson at http://www.stericsson.com/products/smartphone-platforms.jsp
Price and Availability
PGI OpenCL targeting ST-Ericsson NovaThor platforms including code examples and a sample Dalvik application will be freely available by electronic download on March 27. Complete product information is available now on The Portland Group website at www.pgroup.com/pgcl.
Product is based on a published Khronos Specification, and is expected to pass the Khronos Conformance Testing Process. Current conformance status can be found at http://www.khronos.org/conformance.
About The Portland Group
The Portland Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of STMicroelectronics, is the premier supplier of high-performance parallel Fortran, C, and C++ compilers and tools for workstations, servers, and clusters based on x64 processors from Intel and AMD, and GPUs accelerators from NVIDIA. PGI also develops products for ST embedded processors. Further information on The Portland Group products can be found at www.pgroup.com, by calling Sales at (503) 682-2806, or by email to sales@pgroup.com.
