Bus Functional Model

About: Bus Functional Model is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 34 publications have been published within this topic receiving 277 citations.

Software Performance Estimation in MPSoC Design

Abstract: Estimation tools are a key component of system-level methodologies, enabling a fast design space exploration. Estimation of software performance is essential in current software-dominated embedded systems. This work proposes an integrated methodology for system design and performance analysis. An analytic approach based on neural networks is used for high-level software performance estimation. At the functional level, this analytic tool enables a fast evaluation of the performance to be obtained with selected processors, which is an essential task for the definition of a "golden" architecture. From this architectural definition, a tool that refines hardware and software interfaces produces a bus-functional model. A virtual prototype is then generated from the bus-functional model, providing a global, cycle-accurate simulation model and offering several features for design validation and detailed performance analysis. Our work thus combines an analytic approach at functional level and a simulation-based approach at bus functional level. This provides an adequate trade-off between estimation time and precision. A multiprocessor platform implementing an MPEG4 encoder is used as case study, and the analytic estimation results in errors only up to 17% when compared to the virtual platform simulation. On the other hand, the analytic estimation takes only 17 seconds, against 10 minutes using the cycle-accurate simulation model.

Fast and accurate transaction level models using result oriented modeling

Abstract: Efficient communication modeling is a critical task in SoC design and exploration. In particular, fast and accurate communication is needed to predict the performance of a system. Recently, Transaction Level Modeling (TLM) is used to speedup communication simulation at the cost of accuracy. This paper proposes a novel modeling technique called Result Oriented Modeling (ROM) which removes the accuracy drawback of TLM. Using ROM, models yield the same speed as their TLM counterparts, yet still are 100% accurate in timing. ROM utilizes the fact that internal states in the communication channel are not observable by the caller. Hence, ROM omits the internal states entirely and optimistically predicts the end result. Retroactively, the outcome is checked and, if necessary, corrective measures are taken to maintain the accuracy of the model. In this paper, we apply ROM to the AMBA AHB bus architecture. Our experimental results show that ROM exhibits the same high simulation performance as traditional TLM, yet it retains the same accuracy as the bus functional model. Thus, the proposed ROM approach eliminates the speed/accuracy tradeoff exhibited by traditional TLM.

Principles of Verilog PLI

Abstract: From the Publisher: Principles of Verilog PLI is a "how to do" text on Verilog Programming Language Interface. The primary focus of the book is on how to use PLI for problem solving. Both PLI 1.0 and PLI 2.0 are covered. Particular emphasis has been put on adopting a generic step-by-step approach to create a fully functional PLI code. Numerous examples were carefully selected so that a variety of problems can be solved through their use. A separate chapter on Bus Functional Model (BFM), one of the most widely used commercial applications of PLI, is included. Principles of Verilog PLI is written for the professional engineer who uses Verilog for ASIC design and verification. Principles of Verilog PLI will be of interest also to students who are learning Verilog.

UVM based testbench architecture for unit verification

Abstract: In this work, the Universal Verification Methodology (UVM) is analyzed through its application in the development of two testbenches for unit verification. The first one targets a First Input-First Output (FIFO) buffer module and employs all the basic UVM components; a scoreboard with a Reference Model and a Functional Coverage collector are also implemented. The second one verifies an I2C EEPROM slave module; a bus functional model for the I2C protocol is defined to facilitate the driver implementation, rising the level of abstraction and allowing the reuse of the verification component for other I2C devices.

Method and apparatus for a multipurpose configurable bus independent simulation bus functional model

Abstract: A multipurpose configurable bus independent simulation bus functional model for testing a circuit is described. The multipurpose bus functional model utilizes a configurable data structure to interact with a device being tested by providing high-level test generation routines defined by the bus interface specified. The configurable data structure allows for verification of both signal timing and functional operation bus specifications. This data structure technique utilizes a standardized and parameterized method that allows variations and multiple instances of test bench models to be generated and instantiated in a design test environment. The bus functional model also sub-divides general functions and data structures into separate re-usable functional blocks. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other researcher to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.