Semiconductor knowledge management and soft-core reuse

Abstract

A soft-cores design reuse methodology requires a hierarchical database approach and a new wave of specific tools for exploiting them in heterogeneous and network distributed frameworks. The differences between soft-cores, particularly VHDL ones, and software-like build and reuse processes set up the platform for proposing the VHDL-ICE environment as one feasible solution for an adequate adoption of the proposed approach. The availability of frameworks like this for supporting EDA on the Internet will ease the establishment of a mature adoption of soft-core design reuse in the intranets and the Internet, as part of a semiconductor knowledge management policy.