Bluespec Moves into Virtual Prototyping for Software Development, Hardware Validation.Bluesim, Bluespec ESL (1) An earlier family of client/server development tools for Windows and OS/2 from Ardent Software (formerly VMARK). It was originally developed by Easel Corporation, which was acquired by VMARK. Synthesis Form Virtual Systems Platform for Modeling, Design WALTHAM, Mass. -- Bluespec Inc., developer of the only ESL synthesis for control logic and complex datapaths in chip design, today introduced an enhanced version of its Bluesim simulator meant for virtual prototyping and high-speed, source-level simulation and debug To correct a problem in hardware or software. Debugging software means locating the errors in the source code (the program logic). Debugging hardware means finding errors in the circuit design (logical circuits) or in the physical interconnections of the circuits. . Bluesim accelerates the product development cycle by delivering an accelerated cycle-accurate, transaction-level simulation model from the same electronic system level (ESL) source also used to generate high-quality register transfer level (RTL (Register Transfer Level) A high-level hardware description language (HDL) for defining digital circuits. The circuits are described as a collection of registers, Boolean equations, control logic such as "if-then-else" statements as well as complex event sequences; ) code. The combination of Bluesim and Bluespec's ESL synthesis offers a single environment -- what Bluespec refers to as a Virtual Systems Platform -- for modeling and design, creating an automated path to hardware. This virtual prototyping environment is suitable for both software development and modeling, and can be used for unit development and testing, or leveraged for regression testing In software development, testing a program that has been modified in order to ensure that additional bugs have not been introduced. When a program is enhanced, testing is often done only on the new features. . Key new features of Bluesim include increased simulation performance, with acceleration ranging from four to 15 times faster than traditional event-based simulators, and a direct C interface that avoids co-simulation overhead. An interactive interface can be employed for user control over debug. And, it supports multiple clock domains enabling the simulation of systems with blocks running at different clock speeds. A native ESL simulator supporting Bluespec SystemVerilog, Bluesim can be used for software drivers, initialization in·i·tial·ize tr.v. in·i·tial·ized, in·i·tial·iz·ing, in·i·tial·iz·es Computer Science 1. To set (a starting value of a variable). 2. To prepare (a computer or a printer) for use; boot. 3. and diagnostics, firmware, micro-code and accurate modeling and design tradeoffs. It enables design and simulation at any level of abstraction The level of complexity by which a system is viewed. The higher the level, the less detail. The lower the level, the more detail. The highest level of abstraction is the single system itself. and reuse of design components and testbenches across abstraction layers, even while designers refine their designs. Unlike a design flow that takes golden RTL to virtual prototyping, Bluesim can deliver a software platform earlier in the design cycle, even as early as the first model. Software functionality is reached faster due to earlier access by the software team, higher quality ESL design and a unified environment from modeling to implementation. Additionally, designers are not forced to redesign or rewrite code to conform to a virtual prototyping-style document. Instead, Bluesim offers a push-button (electronics) push-button - A roughly fingertip-sized plastic cover attached to a spring-loaded, normally-open switch, which, when pressed, closes the switch. Typical examples are the keys on a computer or calculator keyboard and mouse buttons. approach for model development. It leverages high-level scheduling knowledge and constructs and is not limited by the need to infer information from low-level RTL code. Availability details Bluesim is shipping now, with pricing starting at $39,000 for a one year, time-based license. It supports Linux operating systems. For more details, contact George Harper, Bluespec's vice president of marketing, who can be reached at (781) 250-2200 or via email at george.harper@bluespec.com. About Bluespec Bluespec Inc. manufactures an industry standards-based Electronic Design Automation (EDA (1) (Electronic Design Automation) Using the computer to design, lay out, verify and simulate the performance of electronic circuits on a chip or printed circuit board. ) toolset that significantly raises the level of abstraction for hardware design while retaining the ability to automatically synthesize high-quality RTL, without compromising speed, power or area. The toolset, the only one focused on control and complex datapaths, allows ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) Pronounced "a-sick." A chip that is custom designed for a specific application rather than a general-purpose chip such as a microprocessor. and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) A type of gate array that is programmed in the field rather than in a semiconductor fab. Containing up to hundreds of thousands of gates, there are a variety of FPGA architectures on the market. designers to reduce design time, bugs and re-spins that contribute to product delays and escalating costs. More information can be found on www.bluespec.com or by calling (781) 250-2200. Copyright 2006 Bluespec Inc. Bluespec is a trademark of Bluespec Inc. All other brands, products, or service names may be trademarks or service marks of the companies with which they are associated. |
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