VLSI Offers Real-Time Trace for Debug of Deeply Embedded ARM-Based Systems.
VLSI Offers Real-Time Trace for Debug of Deeply
Embedded ARM-Based Systems
Full Visibility With Configurable N-Trace IP
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 1999--VLSI Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:VLSI - news) today
announced availability of a highly configurable N-Trace IP block used for real-time instruction and data trace on deeply
embedded ARM7 and ARM9 Thumb Family(TM) designs.
N-Trace allows users to debug and profile hardware/software interactions, optimize system performance, perform system
test and debug boot code -- all in real time.
Adopting the standard Embedded Trace Module from ARM, VLSI has implemented the N-Trace IP block through its HDL
Integrator(TM) (HDLi(TM)) IP delivery tool, making it highly reusable and giving designers full control to implement their
desired level of debugging sophistication.
N-Trace is part of a cooperative development effort to provide designers of embedded ARM® systems with increased
visibility for debug, reduced development costs and time-to-market advantages.
VLSI's N-Trace IP block is one component of the complete real-time trace solution, which consists of a Hewlett-Packard
trace port analyzer and a trace aware debugger. VLSI is currently testing the first N-Trace implementation using its
Velocity(TM) Rapid Silicon Prototyping system.
Debug Challenges for Deeply Embedded Designs
While shrinking process geometries have enabled the systems-on-chip revolution, hardware and software designers have
suffered from decreased visibility into embedded IP operation. Debugging deeply embedded processors has become a major
challenge, as processor execution is hidden behind caches and sophisticated pipelines.
With address, data and status signals hidden from the external package pins, traditional emulators are no longer able to
support these designs. It is no longer viable to make bond-out chips as clock rates and pin counts have increased and
development schedules continue to shrink.
The Real-Time Trace Solution
''Real-time trace has been a highly sought after but elusive feature of embedded processor-based designs,'' said Jim Jacot,
product manager of Strategic Technology for VLSI.
''With N-Trace, debugging is simpler and more efficient. This leads directly to shorter development schedules and reduced
development costs for system-on-a-chip solutions. Our customers are thrilled with the availability of real-time trace for
embedded ARM core designs.''
Sam Lee, product manager at Hewlett-Packard's Colorado Springs site adds, ''VLSI Technology has been a leader in
developing applications and tool suites around the ARM architecture, and has been aggressive in their commitment to
implementing the Embedded Trace Module into their products.
''I expect VLSI customers to experience improved development times as a result of using this new tool capability. This
approach to execution and data trace provides the features needed to rapidly debug deeply embedded real-time systems.''
Further commenting on the N-Trace solution, John Sharp, development systems product manager for ARM Ltd., said,
''VLSI's offering of the Embedded Trace Module, as defined by ARM's extended debug architecture, provides developers
with extra debug and integration capabilities.
''These additional capabilities will speed development of ARM based wireless communications, digital entertainment, and
computing products.''
Key Features of N-Trace IP
The N-Trace reusable IP block is a highly configurable HDL Template(TM) giving designers full control to implement their
desired level of debugging sophistication.
The first implementations use a 9-pin interface with features including:
-0-
-- Instruction Trace
-- Data Trace
-- Address and Data Comparators
-- Event Counter
-- Multi-state Sequencer
The Rest of the System
Hewlett-Packard's participation ensures there will be a high quality trace port analyzer to capture the output stream of trace
information, and ARM is developing an extension to their software debugger which will parse the captured data, uncompress
it, and graphically display it to the user. This will be available as an add-on to the standard ARM software development tools.
Availability
First test silicon from VLSI is expected in April 1999, with high volume ASIC design engagements commencing soon
thereafter. The Hewlett-Packard trace port analyzer and the trace aware debuggers are expected be available later this year.
About VLSI Technology
VLSI Technology, Inc. designs and manufactures custom and semicustom integrated circuits for leading firms in the wireless
communications, networking, consumer digital entertainment and Advance Computing markets.
VLSI's value proposition is based on full-service customer support, deep libraries of vertical market-focused IC intellectual
property, unparalleled custom circuit design expertise enabled through the Velocity Rapid Silicon Prototyping design style,
and one of the world's most flexible and efficient custom circuit manufacturing facilities in San Antonio.
The company is based in San Jose, with 1998 revenues from continuing operations of $547.8 million, and approximately
2,200 employees worldwide. For more information, visit the VLSI homepage, www.vlsi.com.
Note to Editors: HDL Integrator, HDLi, HDL Template, Velocity, and JumpStart are trademarks or registered trademarks of
VLSI Technology, Inc. All other names and marks are the property of their respective holders.
Contact:
VLSI Technology, Inc., San Jose
Earle Speranza, 408/922-5268
earle.speranza@sanjose.vlsi.com
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