Tenselica re-configurable processors

About Tensilica
Tensilica was founded in July 1997 to address the growing need for optimized, application-specific microprocessor solutions in high-volume embedded applications. With a configurable and extensible microprocessor core called Xtensa, Tensilica is the only company that has automated and patented the time-consuming process of generating a customized microprocessor core along with a complete software development tool environment, producing new configurations in a matter of hours. For more information, visit www.tensilica.com.

Xtensa LX allows extension to the processor through Tensilica Instruction Extension (TIE) language which is similar to VHDL. It supports new instructions and registers, execution units and I/O ports.