Static analysis tools for soft-core reviews and audits

Abstract

Three navigation tools are presented to statically and interactively analyze soft-cores described in VHDL. These tools ease the adoption of mechanisms to perform reviews and audits procedures similar to those adopted in software development. These navigation tools help to better understand and reuse VHDL soft-cores. The three navigators are integrated in a VHDL-ICE environment to acquire design data management support.