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1. Array of simulation - specififi c processors ( Cadence Palladium series ): Array of processors whose instruction set and software is tailored to simulation tasks. One set of such arrays is called a board . Each processor on the board can simulate millions of gates in parallel. Furthermore, each processor on the board talks to other processors via a fifi xed (specififi c) protocol.
2. Array of FPGAs (Synopsys ZeBu series): Array of FPGAs. Each FPGA can have mapped gates programmed into it. Each FPGA in the Array usually has dedicated wiring with other FPGAs.
3. A hybrid array of both simulation - specififi c processors and FPGAs (Mentor Veloce series) .
For large designs boards in an emulator can be cascaded. To better utilize the components in the emulator, there are partitions possible which enable multiple users to simultaneously access the resources of the emulator.
Since emulators comprise of hardware components, it is possible to connect the emulator to real external targets like JTAG, UART, QSPI, I2C, etc. The JTAG and UART are used by the software team to do hardware-software co-design and debug at the programmers view level.
Figure 18.1 illustrates an FPGA or processor array-based emulator system with multiple user terminals, standard connectors, IOs, and a backplane to cascade multiple such boards. Multiple users can then use the emulator boards for improving resource utilization.
Uses of Emulation/Prototyping
Substitute for simulation : This is the most obvious usage. In practice, however, emulation is resorted to only after the RTL design reaches a certain level of maturity. A not-so-mature RTL design will fifi nd iterative debug to be diffifi cult, due to limited observability and controllability of emulation.
Enabling pre-silicon software development : Once the RTL is reasonably mature, the software teams can use the emulator for developing BOOTROM, Software (UBOOT, Linux, Android, RTOS, UEFI), Device Drivers (BSP), etc. Doing so provides several months of lead time to the software teams. This enables the software components to be available and ready for use, immediately after the device silicon is available.
Manufacturer:Xilinx
Product Categories: Connecteurs
Lifecycle:Obsolete -
RoHS: No RoHS
Manufacturer:Xilinx
Product Categories: FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array)
Lifecycle:Obsolete -
RoHS: No RoHS
Manufacturer:Xilinx
Product Categories: Circuits intégrés d'application spéciale
Lifecycle:Active Active
RoHS: No RoHS
Manufacturer:Xilinx
Product Categories: FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array)
Lifecycle:Active Active
RoHS:
Manufacturer:Xilinx
Product Categories: Industrial components
Lifecycle:Active Active
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