Embedded World: OpenCL framework targets ST-Ericsson NovaThor mobile platform

The framework includes a PGI OpenCL compiler for multicore ARM cpus as a compute device and complements OpenCL for gpus. According to PGI, NovaThor is a highly integrated complete mobile product platform with performance and power optimised multicore ARM Cortex A-series cpus, advanced graphics processors, multimedia engines and the latest mobile broadband and connectivity technologies. The company's product line now encompasses both OpenCL and multicore ARM-based microprocessors. OpenCL is a programming model for heterogenous computing systems comprised of cpus, gpus and other computing devices and has been standardised by Khronos and adopted by a number of cpu and gpu manufacturers including Intel, AMD/ATI, NVIDIA and Imagination Technologies. According to PGI, OpenCL is the first OpenCL compiler for Android targeting multicore 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 multicore applications that are more easily portable across the major mobile operating systems," said Douglas Miles, director, The Portland Group. "It includes support for multicore ARM on ST-Ericsson NovaThor platforms today and is designed for future integration of OpenCL device compilers for GPUs and hardware accelerators." 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 multicore mode, or some other type of compute device. PGI will be freely available to download on March 27.