Rafael Kazumiti Morizawa

Synthesis for SoC architecture using VCores

In this paper, we propose a novel architecture synthesis method for SoC using VCores. VCores are reusable and configurable high-level descriptions. An initial SoC architecture, which consists of a CPU, buses, and peripherals, is generated based on an architecture template. The hardware and software tradeoff is possible on the architecture model after assignment of software VCores or hardware VCores. The assignment is based on the results of the architectures performance estimation. We present a prototype of the synthesis for SoC architecture using VCores and an architecture level design experiment using this prototype.

Design methodology for SoC architectures based on reusable virtual cores

The design reuse methodology, which has been developed at the VCDS Project, is a SoC design methodology to reduce the SoC design time using high level design intellectual properties named as Virtual Cores (VCores). In this paper, we propose the VCore based design methodology to synthesize the SoC architecture from the system level specification. This synthesis methodology generates an initial architecture that consists of a CPU, buses, I/Os peripherals, and RTOS (Real Time Operating System), and makes tradeoffs between hardware and software on assigned software VCores and hardware Vcores models to the architecture. The results of an architecture level design experiment using the proposed methodology shows that the partial automation of the communication refinement process, allied with design reuse, accelerates the architecture synthesis, thus reducing the design time required to design an architecture.

VCDS tool demonstration

The VCore(*) based Design Methodology developed in the VCDS(**) project is a novel design methodology utilizing VCores. VCores are reusable functional cores defined at high level. We designed a SoC for Wearable Computer as a vehicle application in the pilot project (Figure 1), and compared our proposed methodology with a conventional RTL based design methodology by measuring the design productivity. We obtained very promising prospects that the design productivity could be improved 20 times for the enhanced VCDS (Figure 2).We will make a demonstration of the implemented pilot tool to show how effective our proposed methodology is.(*) VCore: Virtual Core(**) VCDS: Virtual Core based Design System

VCDS tool demonstration [virtual core based design system]

Summary form only given. The VCore (virtual core) based design methodology, developed in the VCDS (virtual core based design system) project, is a novel design methodology utilizing VCores. VCores are reusable functional cores defined at high level. We designed a SoC for a wearable computer as a vehicle application in the pilot project, and compared our proposed methodology with a conventional RTL based design methodology by measuring the design productivity. We obtained very promising prospects that the design productivity could be improved 20 times for the enhanced VCDS. We give a demonstration of the implemented pilot tool to show how effective our proposed methodology is.