Archive notice: This article was originally published on February 10, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Synopsys is introducing its expanded Confirma™ rapid-prototyping platform. The recently acquired CHIPit products, tools and technologies simplify the implementation and deployment of rapid-prototype systems, allowing users to begin hardware-assisted system validation and embedded-software development earlier.
In addition to existing high-performance prototyping hardware, the expanded Confirma platform now provides a software-configurable architecture and transaction-based co-verification capabilities. With its new emulation-like capabilities, Confirma is currently the most advanced rapid-prototyping solution available. It delivers maximum performance and the lowest operating costs. Combined with a proven prototyping methodology, IP and services, the Confirma platform provides a complete solution for various prototyping applications.
Synopsys thus offers the most comprehensive software-to-silicon verification solution, addressing the critical challenges of the system-on-chip (SoC) verification process through rapid prototyping, virtual platforms, functional verification and analog/mixed-signal simulation.
“Growing SoC complexity, increasing amounts of embedded software and the high cost of traditional emulation systems require new approaches to system design and validation,” said Gary Meyers, Vice President and General Manager of Synopsys’ Synplicity Business Group. “Home-built prototyping boards were widespread for many years. However, customers found them increasingly difficult to design, manufacture and deploy. Our Confirma platform, the leading rapid-prototyping system, represents the next era of comprehensive hardware-assisted verification. Development teams can now validate and bring their complex chips and software to market simultaneously.”
The Economics of Hardware-Assisted Verification:
Increasing chip-design complexity and software content also raise the cost of embedded-software development and system validation. Conventional approaches such as big-box emulation systems are too expensive and too slow for widespread use by embedded-software developers and verification teams.
Self-built FPGA-based prototypes can solve these problems, but their implementation and testing are time-consuming and costly. The Confirma rapid-prototyping platform addresses the problems associated with conventional approaches. It brings together every required component in a comprehensive, affordable solution, allowing more development teams to benefit from hardware-assisted verification.
Confirma Platform:
The expanded Confirma platform is a complete family of rapid-prototyping products, including FPGA-based prototyping systems and boards, interface and memory cards, and implementation and debugging software. The Confirma platform provides every element needed to implement prototypes rapidly.
Hardware Platforms:
- CHIPit family of rapid-prototyping systems with a programmable interconnect architecture for greater automation and emulation-like capabilities optimized for transaction-based verification
- HAPS™ family of high-performance, high-speed rapid-prototyping boards for system validation and embedded-software development
- Broad range of high-speed interface and expansion cards enabling prototypes to be assembled easily for many applications
Software Tools:
- CHIPit Manager Pro software for prototype configuration and project management
Certify multi-FPGA implementation and partitioning software
Identify Pro debugging software with TotalRecall™ visibility-enhancement technology
Synplify® Premier, the technology-leading physical-synthesis tool for FPGAs.
The product offerings are complemented by a broad range of service, training and support options, from one-week training courses to complete turnkey services. Synopsys also provides comprehensive worldwide support for geographically distributed hardware- and software-development teams.
Part of a Comprehensive Software-to-Silicon Verification Solution
The Confirma rapid-prototyping platform is part of Synopsys’ software-to-silicon verification solution, the industry’s most comprehensive suite of proven software, hardware, intellectual property, methodologies and services for embedded-software development, system validation, functional verification and circuit simulation in complex SoC development. The new solution-oriented integration includes co-simulation and debugging between the Confirma platform and the high-performance VCS simulator, as well as support for synthesizable DesignWare® IP in Confirma rapid prototypes. Confirma products work with the Innovator virtual platform, creating a hybrid virtual/physical prototyping environment for embedded-software development and verification.
Rapid-Prototyping Seminars and Workshops
Starting in February 2009, Synopsys plans a series of half-day management seminars and full-day technical workshops on rapid prototyping.
Further Links:
- More information
