Systematic RISC-V architecture analysis and optimization

Systematic RISC-V architecture analysis and optimization
by Don Dingee on 08-28-2023 at 10:00 am

RISC V architecture analysis and optimization chain

The RISC-V movement has taken off so quickly because of the wide range of choices it offers designers. However, massive flexibility creates its own challenges. One is how to analyze, optimize, and verify an unproven RISC-V core design with potential microarchitecture changes allowed within the bounds of the specification. … Read More


A faster prototyping device-under-test connection

A faster prototyping device-under-test connection
by Don Dingee on 08-30-2022 at 6:00 am

ProtoBridge from S2C provides a high bandwidth prototyping device-unider-test connection

When discussing FPGA-based prototyping, we often focus on how to pour IP from a formative SoC design into one or more FPGAs so it can be explored and verified before heading off to a foundry where design mistakes get expensive. There’s also the software development use case, jumpstarting coding for the SoC before silicon … Read More


Flexible prototyping for validation and firmware workflows

Flexible prototyping for validation and firmware workflows
by Don Dingee on 06-02-2022 at 10:00 am

The Prodigy S7-P19 Logic System can help speed up validation and firmware workflows

The quest for bigger FPGA-based prototyping platforms continues, in lockstep with each new generation of faster, higher capacity FPGAs. The arrival of the Xilinx Virtex UltraScale+ VU19P FPGA takes capacity to new levels and adds transceiver and I/O bandwidth. When these slot into S2C’s Prodigy S7-19P Logic System, the result… Read More


OpenCL hits FPGA-based prototyping modules

OpenCL hits FPGA-based prototyping modules
by Don Dingee on 11-30-2016 at 4:00 pm

OpenCL brings algorithm development into a unified programming model regardless of the core, working across CPUs, GPUs, DSPs, and even FPGAs. Intel has been pushing OpenCL programming for some time, particularly at the high end with “Knights Landing” processors. Where other vendors are focused on straight-up C high-level … Read More


Protium for the win in software development

Protium for the win in software development
by Don Dingee on 11-02-2016 at 4:00 pm

Cadence Design Systems is a long-standing provider in hardware emulation, but a relative newcomer to FPGA-based prototyping. In an upcoming lunch and learn session on November 11 in San Jose, Cadence teams will be outlining their productivity strategy. What’s different with their approach and why is this worth a lunch?… Read More


More on HAPS hybrid prototyping for ARMv8 with Linaro

More on HAPS hybrid prototyping for ARMv8 with Linaro
by Don Dingee on 08-19-2016 at 4:00 pm

A few weeks ago we previewed a Synopsys webinar describing how they are linking the ARM Juno Development Platform with the HAPS-80 and HAPS ProtoCompiler environment. I’ve had a look at the archived event and have some additional thoughts.… Read More


Webinar alert – Hybrid prototyping for ARMv8

Webinar alert – Hybrid prototyping for ARMv8
by Don Dingee on 07-15-2016 at 4:00 pm

All the talk about ARM server SoCs has been focused on who will come up with the breakthrough chip design. Watching trends like OPNFV develop suggests the big breakthrough is more likely to come on the ARMv8 software side. How do you quickly validate ARMv8 software when you don’t have the exact ARMv8 SoC target?… Read More


Time-saving modules expand Prototype Ready family

Time-saving modules expand Prototype Ready family
by Don Dingee on 07-13-2016 at 4:00 pm

A big advantage of FPGA-based prototyping is the ability to run real-world I/O at-speed, significantly faster and more accurately than hardware emulation systems typically requiring a protocol adapter. Dealing with real-world I/O means more thorough verification of SoC integration, and the opportunity to optimize systems… Read More


Aldec extends FPGA and ASIC flows at DAC

Aldec extends FPGA and ASIC flows at DAC
by Don Dingee on 05-20-2016 at 4:00 pm

Aldec tools and services have long been associated with FPGA designs. As FPGAs have evolved toward more RTL-based designs, the similarities between a modern FPGA verification flow and an ASIC verification flow often leave them looking virtually the same. … Read More