SYNTHESIZING TOPOLOGY FOR AN INTERCONNECT NETWORK OF A SYSTEM-ON-CHIP WITH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY BLOCKS

摘要

A SoC interconnect network topology is represented. The corresponding SoC floorplan is divided into windows, which are contiguous and non-overlapping. Within each window a subnetwork of the SoC interconnect network topology is defined that includes links or communication paths between IP blocks in the window as well as links or communication paths that traverse the window. At the shared boundaries of the windows, ports are added and defined as virtual ports. The overall SoC topology can be optimized and synthesized by optimizing each window independently and then incrementally optimizing all links, from end-to-end, that traverse two or more windows. The SoC topology is edited, such as by adding switches, removing switches, and adding and removing switches on routes. An initial location of elements within the floorplan is automatically computed and recommended. Locations can also be edited. Statistical metrics are calculated, including wire length, switch area, SoC area, and maximum signal propagation rate. The SoC overall interconnect network topology is represented by the plurality of windows and the respective subnetworks of each widow. The windows are analyzed and combined and optimized to obtain an overall near-optimal SoC interconnect network topology.