Design methodology differences - comparing x86 to ARM

[qfennessy]

I'd like to understand how design and verification for an ARM licensee might differ from Intel or AMD. I see Intel and AMD as from-scratch chip designers, with ownership top-to-bottom for the logical design and end-to-end for physical implementation. I see an ARM licensee as reusing the ARM architecture and design, adding their specific IP and then completing the implementation. (note - I am not making a value statement - just trying to learn)

I would like to find an overview or sample methodologies for ARM licensees - so I can understand how their needs differ for EDA tools, data management, verification and implementation. I have not found what I am looking for - any pointers?

My background is in building large scale IT infrastructure (think private cloud) for design and verification. I have worked closely with chip architects, verification teams and implementation teams at AMD.

Thanks
Quentin



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[Daniel Payne]

There is much written about the verification approaches to ARM-based SoCs:

http://www.cadence.com/newsletters/incisiveplatform/Incisive_Verif_ARM.pdf?CMP=NLC-O8Q550594948

Complex SoC Verification using ARM Processor

Formal Specification and Verification of ARM6

http://www.mentor.com/products/fv/emulation-systems/upload/isolve-arm-ds.pdf

Making Hardware/Software Co-Verification Easier for ARM Cortex?-A Series Processor-based Designs - Mentor Graphics

http://www.iqmagazineonline.com/current/pdf/Pg40-45-Mentor-Heterogeneous_IQ_no31.pdf

 

[qfennessy]

Thank you, Daniel.

 

[Paul McLellan]

Your characterization of Intel and ARM is correct. Intel designs and manufactures their own chips and they don't license their designs to others (although there was an attempt to do something along those lines with TSMC a couple of years ago). ARM doesn't manufacture chips, they license their designs to anyone who pays. Most licensees implement the ARM processors and add whatever differentiation they have. Some, notably Apple and Qualcomm, have architectural licenses and actually design their own processors starting from ARM's RTL.