Current systems-on-chip execute applications that demand extensive parallel processing. Networks-on-chip (NoC) provide a structured way of realizing interconnections on silicon, and obviate the limitations of bus-based solutions. NoCs can have regular or ad hoc topologies, and functional validation is essential to assess their correctness and performance. In this paper, we present a flexible emulation environment implemented on an FPGA that is suitable to explore, evaluate and compare a wide range of NoC solutions with a very limited effort. Our experimental results show a speed-up of four orders of magnitude with respect to cycle-accurate HDL simulation, while retaining cycle accuracy. With our emulation framework, designers can explore and optimize a range of solutions, as well as characterize quickly performance figures.
A Novel Approach for Network on Chip Emulation / N. Genko;D. Atienza;G. De Micheli;L. Benini;J. Mendias;R. Hermida;F. Catthoor. - STAMPA. - 3:(2005), pp. 2365-2368. (Intervento presentato al convegno IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems, 2005. ISCAS 2005 tenutosi a Kobe, Japan nel 23-26 May 2005).
A Novel Approach for Network on Chip Emulation
BENINI, LUCA;
2005
Abstract
Current systems-on-chip execute applications that demand extensive parallel processing. Networks-on-chip (NoC) provide a structured way of realizing interconnections on silicon, and obviate the limitations of bus-based solutions. NoCs can have regular or ad hoc topologies, and functional validation is essential to assess their correctness and performance. In this paper, we present a flexible emulation environment implemented on an FPGA that is suitable to explore, evaluate and compare a wide range of NoC solutions with a very limited effort. Our experimental results show a speed-up of four orders of magnitude with respect to cycle-accurate HDL simulation, while retaining cycle accuracy. With our emulation framework, designers can explore and optimize a range of solutions, as well as characterize quickly performance figures.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
