Advances in signal and image processing together with increasing computing power are bringing mobile technology closer to applications in a variety of domains like automotive, health, telecommunication, multimedia, entertainment and many others. The development of these leading applications, involving a large diversity of algorithms (e.g. signal, image, video, 3D, communication, cryptography) is classically divided into three consecutive steps: a theoretical study of the algorithms, a study of the target architecture, and finally the implementation. Such a linear design flow is reaching its limits due to intense pressure on design cycle and strict performance constraints. The approach, called Algorithm-Architecture Matching, aims to leverage design flows with a simultaneous study of both algorithmic and architectural issues, taking into account multiple design constraints, as well as algorithm and architecture optimizations, that couldn’t be achieved otherwise if considered separately. Introducing new design methodologies is mandatory when facing the new emerging applications as for example advanced mobile communication or graphics using sub-micron manufacturing technologies or 3D-Integrated Circuits. This diversity forms a driving force for the future evolutions of embedded system designs methodologies.

The main expectations from system designers’ point of view are related to methods, tools and architectures supporting application complexity and design cycle reduction. Advanced optimizations are essential to meet design constraints and to enable a wide acceptance of these new technologies.

This book presents a collection of selected contributions addressing different aspects of Algorithm-Architecture Matching approach ranging from sensors to architectures design. The scope of this book reflects the diversity of potential algorithms, including signal, communication, image, video, 3D-Graphics implemented onto various architectures from FPGA to multiprocessor systems. Several synthesis and resource management techniques leveraging design optimizations are also described and applied to numerous algorithms.