2. Hardware architectures

Unlike conventional computers [3], integrated architectures are numerous and very different, as they are adapted to the application or class of applications in question. In particular, they include specialized coprocessors (e.g. for intensive processing phases, or for communication between processing elements). Several credible architectural alternatives exist, and we can mention three that are representative of current architectural choices:

• a processor driving configurable and/or specialized blocks ( 1 );

• a general-purpose processor (or core) (GPP for General Purpose Processor, an acronym we will often use) and a signal processor (DSP for Digital Signal Processor, an abbreviation also widely used in the following) working together...