Design Reuse Becoming a Reality? : Synopsys releases new tools for core configuration and delivery

Electronic News, June 14, 1999 by Ann Steffora

Scottsdale, Ariz.-Synopsys Inc. has released coreBuilder, a tool that brings the dream of real design reuse closer to reality, according to the company.

Design reuse is a key issue for OEMs who want to reuse existing designs in new products in order to reduce time-to-market.

CoreBuilder is used for capturing, packaging and delivering semiconductor intellectual property (SIP). It is designed to be used in conjunction with Synopsys' coreConsultant tool, which automates soft SIP core configuration and synthesis. By combining the tools, Synopsys is giving SIP developers and OEMs a single platform to speed delivery of cores to end users, allowing for easy evaluation of those cores, and protecting the integrity of the original core.

CoreBuilder and coreConsultant package cores in such a way that they guide the user through the configuration process, lowering the support burden for the core provider, said Philip B. Dworsky, group manager, marketing and applications for the design reuse group at Synopsys.

The process works like this: a designer uses coreBuilder to create a core. The tool guides the designer through the capture of synthesis data, designer knowledge, configuration parameters (including interactions and limits), and implementation/verification procedures. Then, from that data, a coreKit is created that contains all the necessary pieces for configuring and implementing the core.

When the end user receives the coreKit, the coreConsultant tool is used to read the coreKit data. The user is assisted in implementing the core from the features in the tool, which allow only for valid configurations to be selected within a pre-defined use-envelope that the original core designer specifies. The tool then signals Synopsys' synthesis tools (Design Compiler, Test Compiler, Power Compiler or PrimeTime) to create an optimal, technology-mapped netlist.

So far, industry response has been strong with Intel Corp., Canon, Infineon Technologies (formerly Siemens Semiconductor), Matsushita/Panasonic and PALMCHIP adopting it for use internally.

The technology that comprises coreBuilder came out of Synopsys' much-publicized debacle, which involved the creation of a reusable PCI core. In addition, Synopsys used the technology to create and deliver the DW_8051 core, as well as the upcoming DW_NGIO DesignWare foundation library components, the later of which involves collaboration with Intel.

"In the early stages of Intel's development of NGIO components, we realized a need to provide easy-to-use, easy-to-integrate, and extensive core solutions to meet our goal of broad and quick NGIO adoption," said John Haas, IHV marketing manager for Intel's enterprise server group.

"Synopsys' coreBuilder/coreConsultant and NGIO were made for each other. NGIO controller designers will be able to take advantage of Intel designers' knowledge captured with coreBuilder rather than having to deal with raw HDL and synthesis scripts. The solution will include not only automated configuration and synthesis, but also an extensive and integrated verification solution," Haas said.

Open Architecture Allows for Third Party Tool Support

Although users previously had suspected otherwise, the coreBuilder and coreConsultant tools were designed to work with third party EDA tools, Dworsky said. This is achieved by utilizing Tcl plug-ins, that enable customized control of additional design tools. Plug-ins for coreBuilder enable the guiding and/or enforcing of specific design or implementation steps for both the SIP developer and end user.

Synopsys coreBuilder also allows OEMs and SIP developers to make ASCII source files configurable by adding stylized comments within the text, such as RTL files, verification files and design documentation. CoreConsultant reads this configurability information and automatically generates a configuration menu for the core end user. The tool allows the end user to select only valid configurations, ensuring output files that are correct-by-construction.

CoreBuilder will be available in limited production in July for $150,000 per license. The coreConsultant tool is available at no charge to Synopsys customers, with a similar licensing strategy as Adobe Acrobat Reader. Synopsys hopes this licensing approach will make coreBuilder/coreConsultant the industry-standard platform for SIP creation and delivery.