A Complete Network-On-Chip Emulation Framework

Current Systems-On-Chip (SoC) execute applications that demand extensive parallel processing. Networks-OnChip (NoC) provide a structured way of realizing interconnections on silicon, and obviate the limitations of bus-based solution. 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 various range of solutions, as well as characterize quickly performance figures.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2005
• Where: DATE
• Authors: Nicolas Genko, David Atienza, Giovanni De Micheli, Jose Manuel Mendias, Román Hermida, Francky Catthoor
• Keywords: Ad Hoc Topologies, DATE 2005, Extensive Parallel Processing, Hardware, flexible Emulation Environment