System on a Chip (SoC) An Overview David Cheung Christopher Shannon

Presentation Overview  What is a SoC?  Implementation Options  Design  Advantages  Disadvantages  TigerSHARC  Future of SoCs Tolapai exampleTolapai example

What is a SoC?  Necessary components of a computer system embedded on a single silicon die.  SiP – System in a Package : multiple die in a single package.  SoP – System on a Package : multiple layers of discrete components

 A typical SoC will contain: A processorA processor Onboard execution memory (SRAM)Onboard execution memory (SRAM) Peripheral systems & interfaces connected to the processing core via a SoC busPeripheral systems & interfaces connected to the processing core via a SoC bus Many microcontrollers may contain FLASH memory for program storageMany microcontrollers may contain FLASH memory for program storage

How is a SoC implemented?  ASIC – Application Specific IC, very integrated, yet very expensive  FPGA – Cheaper to implement, field reprogrammable  Programmable Devices – Off the shelf devices, quick to program, cheap.

SoC Design:  IP hardware blocks and software blocks developed in parallel  Hardware in CAD  Software in development environment  Emulated and verified on FPGA  Place and Route, created in silicon

SoC Advantages  Decreased power consumption  Increased reliability  Smaller board space  Can be cheaper when using ready to go components

SoC Disadvantages  Extremely high design cost (for the actual chip)  Large silicon space may be required  Component testing may be difficult  Prototyping may take longer  Intellectual property (IP) issues

TigerSHARC  TigerSHARC contains several SoC components: Execution memoryExecution memory Processing CoreProcessing Core Peripheral interface:Peripheral interface:  Link ports  EBIU port  JTAG port  Ext. flags, timers, DMA, etc

Where are SoCs Headed?  More tightly integrates SoCs will result in smaller electronic products that use less power, are faster, and more reliable  Nano scale robots for fighting human diseases, curing diseases.

Intel Tolapai  The XScale replacement is not a pure processor, but rather a tightly integrated SoC  Does away with many supporting chips (North, South bridges as found in typical systems)  Aimed at mobile devices market (PDAs, cell phones, etc)

ADSP-BF561 Dual Core Blackfin SoC

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