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| | | | | | | Virtual Platform Technology
A Virtual Platform is a software based system
that can fully mirror the functionality of a target System-on-Chip or
board. These virtual platforms combine high-speed processor
simulators and high-level, fully functional models
of the hardware building blocks, to provide an abstract, executable representation of
the hardware to software developers and to system architects.
Virtual Platform Technology
When used in the design and development of modern mixed Hardware/Software systems,
Virtual Platforms (VPs) have the following advantages:
- A VP enables early software development which can start
in advance of silicon, RTL simulation, or FPGA prototype availability.
- A VP provides high controllability: physical hardware cannot usually be stopped at
once and it cannot be completely and un-intrusively inspected. A VP, being a software
program, can be fully managed and customized by the hardware designed to address
its needs.
- A VP provides full visibility: at any time, a user can get information
regarding any part of the system (processor core, buses, peripherals, or environment
models). The information can be analyzed and acted upon in any way by the
end user.
- A VP provides determinism: being able to reproduce intermittent problems or
complex timing-related problems on physical hardware is difficult. A VP, instead,
provides determinism in the form of repeatability of a test case where the
user will get the exact same behavior over and over again.
- A VP optimizes group interaction: VPs, representing the current status of
the system being designed, can easily be shared across distributed teams; VPs also
improve communication and interaction between hardware and software design teams.
Virtual Prototyping at ESA
The European Space Agency is currently promoting the development of a Virtual Platform based on GreenSocs;
such Virtual Platform will integrate the SystemC IP-Cores produced in parallel activities.
See the Related links for more details on such activities.
LEON3-based Virtual Platform
Last update: 18 December 2012 | |
| | Related links OSCI SystemC and TLMGreenSocs websiteGreenSocs new websiteSpaceWire-b CODEC - SystemCLEON2/3 Integer Unit - SystemC
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