Business Trends and Design Methodologies for IP Reuse

Business Trends and Design Methodologies for IP Reuse Allen C. -H. Wu Department of Computer Science Tsing Hua University Hsinchu, Taiwan, R. O. C {Email: chunghaw@cs. nthu. edu. tw}

What are IPs? l Soft IP: synthesizable HDL description. l Firm IP: gate-level netlists. l Hard IP: silicon blocks.

Design Reuse l It has been a common practice in software developments for years. l It has been a common practice in electronic product developments for years. l What’s new here? l Is it for real or hype? ? ?

IPs and Design Reuse in Software Functions Procedures Sub-programs Soft IP Source Code Reuse Executable Code Program Hard IP

Horizontally VS. Vertically Integrated System Companies l Horizontally integrated system companies focus on system designs only and outsourcing many design tasks. l Vertically integrated system companies use a system-to-silicon in-house model.

In-House Model System design division Reuse In-house core providers Semiconductor division

Business Trends l System companies are interested in designing and manufacturing systems quickly with low developing costs. l Semiconductor companies are interested in attracting more customers and increasing the volume of their production. l INCREASING THEIR REVENUE$$$$$

Why IP Reuse is a Need in Chip and System Design l Increasing design complexity. l System-on-a-chip technology. l Time-to-Market pressure. l Worldwide designer shortage.

IP-based Model IP provider System design division IPs Reuse In-house core providers

The Factors to Achieve a Successful IP Business Customers Who are the customers? Market Where is the market? YOU What’s your business model? Technology Is the technology ready?

Market for IPs l Soft IPs: too many hurdles need to be overcome; e. g. , legal and security issues. l Firm IPs: some technical issues need to be resolved; e. g. , performance and security issues. l Hard IPs: may be more realistic which has been used in many projects.

Who are the Customers? l The system companies who are only interesting in buying your IPs. l The system companies who are interesting in both of the IPs and the ASIC design service.

Obstacles for Commercial IP l Commodity IP isn’t a sustainable business model l Support costs three times as much as core development. l Scalable products will survivors, e. g. , MIPS Technology Inc. , Advanced RISC Machines Ltd. And DSP Group Inc.

Business Strategy for IP Vendors l NOW => Provide cell libraries. l NOW => Provide chip layout services. l How to enter IP business and bring in more revenue? l How to use IPs to sell cell libraries? l How to use design services to sell IPs? l How to use cell libraries and IPs to bring in more design service revenue?

Considerations for IP Vendors l Definition of suitable cores with high usability. l Design of these cores with proper set of parameters to cover a broad segment of the market. l Packaging those cores with proper interfaces and documentation for easy use. l Support IP-reuse evaluation and design methodologies and platform. l Developing business and customer model for distribution and use of cores.

Requirements for Supporting IP Reuse l Define the sufficient specification to support IP reuse, such as functionality, electrical, mechanical, and timing parameters. l Provide multi-level HDL models to support design verification, simulation, and testing. l Provide test bench and testing scheme. l Provide techniques for generating interfaces for IP reuse. l IP upgrading for functionality and features.

Design Methodologies supporting IP Reuse Netlists Floorplanning Place & Route Verification Tape out IPs Hard & Firm IPs

Design Methodologies supporting IP Reuse Design spec. Simulation Environment IP-based synthesis IPs Netlists Floorplanning Place & Route Verification Tape out IPs Functionality Performance

IP-based Synthesis Method and Environment l Platform to map a design specification to a RTL design by reusing IPs. l Platform for design verification and evaluation. l => How to convince your customers to use your IPs?

Business and Customer Model l Marketing strategy. l Accounting. l Customer training in reuse techniques for different IPs. l Patenting, licensing and royalty collection from the IP users.

Business Model 1 l Buying IPs only: the system companies have their own system integration methodology and environment. l Hard IPs: modeling issues. l Firm IPs: modeling and security issues.

Business Model 2 l Buying IPs and ASIC design service. l IP-reuse methodology and environment. l Licensing issues when using third-party IPs. l Modeling issues. l Minimal security issues. l Very flexible - provide either hard or firm IPs. l How to include IP-reuse into current design flow - a IP-reuse driven design flow.

Hurdles Need to be Overcome l Modeling issues. l IP-reuse synthesis methodology and environment. l An IP-based chip design methodology. l Security issues. l Customer-specific business models.