2. SoC : System on Chip
System
A collection of all kinds of components and/or subsystems
that are appropriately interconnected to performance the
specified functions for end users
A SoC design is a “product creation process” Which
Starts at identifying the end-user needs
Ends at delivering a product with enough functional satisfaction to
overcome the payment from the end-user
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4. SOC
Also named System-on-a Chip. System LSI, System-on-
Silicon, System-on-…
It used to be System-on-aboard, or System-in-a cabinet,
or System-in-package (SIP)
System
Hardware
Analog : ADC/DAC, PLL, TxRx, RF
Digital : Processor, Interface, Accelerator
Storage : SRAM, DRAM, FLASH, ROM
Software : RTOS, IP Device Driver, Application
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5. What is an SoC?
An SoC must contain:
Portable / reusable IP
Embedded CPU
Embedded Memory
Real World Interfaces
(USB, PCI, Ethernet)
Software (both on- chip
and off)
An SoC may contain:
Programmable HW
(FPGAs, Flash)
Mixed-signal Blocks
Sensors
Not just an ASIC !
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6. Benefits of Using SoC
Reduce overall system cost
Increase performance
Lower power consumption
Reduce size
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11. SOC Design Requirement
System Support & Portability
Open Industry Standard
Testability
Process Dependency
Design Methodology
Price/Performance/Power
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12. How to Conquer the Complexity
Use a known real entity
A pre-designed component (IP reuse)
A Platform (architecture reuse)
Partition
Based on functionality
Hardware and software
Modeling
At different Level
Consistent and accurate
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13. SOC Current Challenge
IP Availability
Good and qualified IP from qualified vendors
One stop IP search engine & service
System Complexity
Analog IP process dependency
Advanced process maturity
System software development - IP coverage
Verification & Failure Analysis
Lack of system simulation models
IP testability - built-in self testing
Testing equipment limitation
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17. SoC Applications
Communication
Digital cellular phone
Networking
Computer
PC/Workstation
Chipsets
Consumer
Set top box
Game box
Digital camera
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18. Internet Age - Very Demanding
Applications
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21. Differences in Design Between IC and IP
Limitation of IC design
Number of I/O pin
Design and Implement all the functionality in the silicon
Soft IP
No limitation on number of I/O pin
Parameterized IP Design : design all the functionality in HDL code
but implement desired parts in the silicon
IP compiler/Generator : select what you want !!
More high level auxiliary tools to verify design
More difficult in chip-level verification
Hard IP
No limitation on number of I/O pin
Provide multiple level abstract model
Design and Implement all the functionality in the layout
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23. Summary
SoC technology and IP design have become a dominant
focus in today's global ICs industry.
SoC integration has potential to continue IC cost
reduction and to perpetuate growth of personal internet
products
Complex SOC or IP Core designs has created new
challenges
IP- based or Platform-Based Design Methodology will be
studied
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