Virtual Interface Simulation Wrapper for Hard IP Cores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Simulating hard IP components, such as network-on-chip (NOC), within integrated circuit designs is challenging due to their pre-built nature, which can prevent parallel development and create dependencies, making it difficult to test individual channels of sub-IP without proper configuration.
Innovation Solution
Instantiating hard IP as a singleton entity within a simulation wrapper allows for embedding the hard IP outside of a hierarchical structure, enabling flexible connection to other IPs. This approach uses index-based virtual interfaces to simulate inputs and outputs of the hard IP, facilitating communication with soft IP cores without requiring multiple instantiations or system-level connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hard IP is instantiated within each channel of sub-IP, then each channel can be independently configured and tested, but hard IP cannot be instantiated due to its pre-built nature and spans across multiple channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hard IP instantiation problem by creating a simulation wrapper that divides the hard IP into multiple virtual interfaces, each corresponding to a specific channel. This allows each channel to be independently configured and tested while maintaining the pre-built nature of the hard IP.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation wrapper acts as an intermediary between the hard IP and the soft IP channels. It provides virtual interfaces that mediate the interaction, allowing independent channel configuration without requiring direct instantiation of hard IP in each channel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hard IP is instantiated at global/system level, then hard IP can be shared across multiple channels, but parallel development is prevented and dependencies are created
Solution Approach 1:
The simulation wrapper provides a universal interface that allows the hard IP to be shared across multiple channels through virtual interfaces. Each channel can interact with the hard IP independently through its own virtual interface, enabling parallel development while maintaining sharing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of the hard IP interface for each channel through the simulation wrapper. Instead of sharing a single global instance, each channel gets its own virtual interface copy, allowing independent configuration and parallel development.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hard IP is instantiated at global/system level, then hard IP can be shared, but testing cannot be performed until each channel of sub-IP is configured correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The simulation wrapper enables preliminary testing by providing virtual interfaces that can be configured and tested independently before the actual hard IP is fully integrated. Channels can be configured and tested in advance without waiting for all other channels to be ready.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the hard IP interaction into separate virtual interfaces for each channel, the patent enables independent testing of individual channels. This eliminates the requirement to wait for all channels to be configured before testing can begin.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein are directed to systems and methods for elaborating and simulating hard intellectual property (IP) cores via virtual interface. Such a system may include a processing circuitry and a memory. The memory may include computer-readable instructions that the processing circuitry may execute to produce a simulation of soft logic circuitry, a simulation of hard logic circuitry, and a simulation wrapper around the simulation of hard logic circuitry to provide a virtual interface between the simulation of the soft logic circuitry and the simulation of the hard logic circuitry.