SoCLib: an open platform for virtual prototyping of multi-processors system on chip

The SoCLib environment allows system-level virtual prototyping of MPSoC platforms: the system designer defines his target architecture template (number and type of processor, number of memory banks, OS, peripherals, interconnects…) and determines the proper hardware/software partitioning of his application. Then, by running simulations for the set of parameters of interest of his template and a mapping of the software on the platform, the designer can obtain figures of merits. SoCLib is a library of SystemC simulation models for virtual components. All models, i.e caches, memory, peripherals, interconnects and so on, make use of the VCI/OCP interconnect standard in order to be easily interoperable. Each component is provided at two abstraction levels: cycle-accurate and transaction level with time (TLM 2.0 compliant). It comes with a set of associated tools: a design space exploration tool that eases the generation of both the hardware and software of the target platform, high level synthesis for automatic hardware accelerator generation, accelerator for cycle-accurate simulation ... Regarding embedded software development, SoCLib provides micro-kernels OS, communication middleware, and debug capabilities. The SoCLib is a free and open source framework. More information can be found at http://www.soclib.fr