VHDL Modeling of PRC-70 Radio ASICs for Reverse Engineering

摘要

Army Research Laboratory has been researching methods to maintain fielded -legacysystems built with technology that is no longer available in the commercial market. One method under examination is using the VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL) to document circuits for future redesign and reengineering for efficient reprocurement of spare electronic components. This report describes a case where structural VHDL modeling methods were studied while documenting the structure of three recently reengineered ASICS. These three ASICs form part of an antenna coupler board which is used in the AN/PRC-70 special operation forces radio. The report describes the steps used in setting up the structural models from the technology information models through the cell library models to the overall structure models of each ASIC. Through the description of the creation of the models a reader will be able to understand how the models allow future reengineering of these ASICs to be technology independent. The report also describes the steps taken to validate the VHDL models and verify them against the actual design drawings using data taken from the results of simulating both. A number of obstacles were revealed during the simulation and verification of the models. An account of those obstacles and the solutions to them are also described in the report. VHSIC Hardware Description Language, Reverse engineering, ASIC simulation, ASIC documentation.