We used to be comfortable with the idea that the worlds of logical design and physical implementation could be largely separated. Toss the logical design over the wall, and the synthesis and P&R teams would take care of the rest. That idea took a bit of a hit when we realized that synthesis had to become physically aware. The synthesis… Read More
More Tales from the NoC Trenches
Science texts like to present the evolution of knowledge as step-function transitions, from ignorance to wisdom. We used to think the sun revolved around the earth. Then Galileo appeared, and we instantly realized that the earth revolves around the sun. But reality is always messier, as Galileo understood all too well. The transition… Read More
Smoothing the Path to NoC Adoption
We’re creatures of habit. As technologists, we want to move fast and break things, but only on our terms. Everything else should remain the same or improve with minimum disruption. No fair breaking the way we do our jobs as we plot a path to greatness. This is irrational, of course. Real progress often demands essential changes where… Read More
The Zen of Auto Safety – a Path to Enlightenment
Safety is a complex topic, but we’re busy. We take the course, get the certificate. Check, along with a million other things we need to do. But maybe it’s not quite that simple. I talked recently with Kurt Shuler (VP of marketing) and Stefano Lorenzini (functional safety manager) at Arteris IP and concluded that finding enlightenment… Read More
IP-XACT Resurgence, Design Enterprise Catching Up
This standard has been around in one form or another for over ten years and was then arguably ahead of its time. RTL designers were confused: ‘We already have RTL. Why do we need something else?’ I also didn’t get it. Still, the standard plugged ahead among the faithful and found traction among IP vendors. Particularly as a common format… Read More
Architecture Wrinkles in Automotive AI: Unique Needs
Arteris IP recently spoke at the Spring Linley Processor Conference on April 21, 2021 about Automotive systems-on-chip (SoCs) architecture with artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) and Functional Safety. Stefano Lorenzini presented a nice contrast between auto AI SoCs and those designed for datacenters.… Read More
Arteris IP Contributes to Major MPSoC Text
You might have heard of the Multicore and Multiprocessor SoC (MPSoC) Forum sponsored by IEEE and other industry associations and companies. This group of top-notch academic and industry technical leaders gets together once a year to talk about hardware and software architecture and applications for multicore and multiprocessor… Read More
SoC Integration – Predictable, Repeatable, Scalable
On its face System-on-chip (SoC) integration doesn’t seem so hard. You gather and configure all the intellectual properties (IPs) you’re going to need, then stitch them together. Something you could delegate to new college hires, maybe? But it isn’t that simple. What makes SoC integration challenging is that there are so many… Read More
Arteris IP folds in Magillem. Perfect for SoC Integrators
Arteris IP and Magillem recently tied the knot, creating a merger of Network-on-Chip (NoC) and related Intellectual Property (IP) with a platform known for IP-XACT based SoC integration and related support. This is interesting to me because I’m familiar with products and people in both companies. I talked to Kurt Shuler, vice… Read More
The Reality of ISO 26262 Interpretation. Experience Matters
Interpreting ISO 26262 without ambiguity is not always easy. Suppliers and integrators can read some aspects differently, creating confusion. Which is a problem since ISO 26262 has become so much a part of any discussion on automotive electronics that it has gained almost biblical significance. Yet most of us, even suppliers… Read More