Press Release
OCP-IP Announces New Debug
Specification
BEAVERTON, Ore. — January 08, 2008 — OCP-IP today announced the new debug
specification has gone to member review. The specification details an
approach to a standardized OCP-bus compliant debug interface. The
debug solution, an optional OCP port, implements a debug interface socket
that can be added to all cores and IP blocks.
The specification supports a uniform method of on-chip system analysis
and access to embedded information at the core, multicore, and systems
levels. The debug interface socket defines several layers of extended
functionality to address the diverse and increasing debug needs for
software, hardware, and mixed SoC prototyping. It is intended to be
compatible with other industry standards efforts addressing debug and
related on-chip issues.
Work on the specification was completed by the OCP-IP Debug Working Group
led by Texas Instruments, HDL Dynamics, MIPS Technologies, and Pixelworks
with the close cooperation and welcomed contributions of several other
sponsor member companies and other independent organizations.
The document describes an overall debugging framework as the basis of the
OCP debug interface. In the same way that the OCP data framework is a
functional superset for various bus interfaces and data structures, the OCP
debug framework defines an OCP debug interface socket that can connect to a
superset of debug solutions, including those developed outside of
OCP-IP. The specification loosely defines requirements and a set of
debug signals at the OCP socket and fabric levels, leaving much of the
specific options for implementation open to IP and tools vendors.
Commercial and licensable instrumentation IP and tools supporting many of
the debug socket interface options are available today from OCP-IP
members.
Companies wishing to participate in the OCP-IP Debug Working Group are
invited to contact admin@ocpip.org. To download a copy
of OCP-IP’s white paper discussing the topic of debug, visit
http://www.ocpip.org
About OCP-IP
The OCP International Partnership Association, Inc. (OCP-IP), formed in
2001, promotes and supports the Open Core Protocol (OCP) as the complete
socket standard ensuring rapid creation and integration of interoperable
virtual components. OCP-IP's Governing Steering Committee participants
include: Nokia [NYSE: NOK], Sonics Inc., Synopsys [SNPS], Texas Instruments
[NYSE: TXN], and Toshiba Semiconductor Group (including Toshiba America
TAEC). OCP-IP is a non-profit corporation delivering the first fully
supported, openly licensed, core-centric protocol comprehensively fulfilling
system-level integration requirements. The OCP facilitates IP core
reusability and reduces design time, risk, and manufacturing costs for SoC
designs. For additional background and membership information, visit
www.OCPIP.org.
