Processor-independent system-on-chip verification for embedded processor systems
US6615167B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 2, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/261
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for efficiently changing the embedded processor type in verification of system-on-chip (SOC) integrated circuit designs containing embedded processors. The verification software is used to generate and apply test cases to stimulate components of a SOC design (“cores”) in simulation; the results are observed and used to de-bug the design.Typically, the embedded processor type changes as SOC designs change. However, changing the processor type may cause errors in verification due to the presence of processor-specific code distributed throughout the verification software. Thus, changing the processor type can entail a substantial re-write of the verification software.In the method according to the present invention, in verification software for verifying a SOC design including an embedded processor, processor-specific code is localized in a processor driver. Consequently, when there is a need to change the processor type, only the processor driver needs to be changed or replaced, while the rest of verification code requires no changes. Verification is consequently more efficient.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.