Extending the SIMPPL SoC architectural framework to support application-specific architectures on multi-FPGA platforms

Process technology has reduced in size such that it is possible to implement complete applicationspecific architectures as Systems-on-Chip (SoCs) using both Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). However, the reconfigurable nature of an FPGA results in lower logic density, such that large, complex applications require multi-FPGA implementation platforms. Although designing SoCs is challenging, SoC models such as Systems Integrating Modules with Predefined Physical Links (SIMPPL) exist to facilitate the design process. SIMPPL leverages defined physical interfaces and communication protocols to enable rapid system-level integration for applicationspecific architectures. This paper presents a "SIMPPL Repeater" that enables the SIMPPL SoC architectural framework to be used for systems spanning multiple he SIMPPL Repeater abstracts inter-chip communication, allowing designers to treat a multiFPGA platform as a single large rec...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2008
• Where: ASAP
• Authors: David Dickin, Lesley Shannon
• Keywords: Application-specific Integrated Circuits, Applicationspecific Architectures, ASAP 2008, Distributed And Parallel Computing, SIMPPL Repeater