1. 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}

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

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

4. IPs and Design Reuse in Software Procedures FunctionsSub-programs Program Reuse Source CodeExecutable Code Soft IP Hard IP

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

6. In-House Model System design divisionSemiconductor division In-house core providers Reuse

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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