10Gbit/s USB 3.1 IP and verification support on the way
Synopsys has introduced a set of IP and verification assets with which developers can add 10Gbit/s USB 3.1 capabilities to their designs.
The offering includes DesignWare USB 3.1 device controller IP, a virtual development kit (VDK), and verification IP (VIP).
Figure 1 Synopsys provides the IP, prototyping and verification tools to move to USB 3.1 quickly (Source: Synopsys)
The DesignWare block supports the 10Gbit/s data transfer rates and power-down capabilities of version 3.1 of the ubiquitous connectivity standard. It is compatible with existing USB 3.0 software stacks and device protocols and is based on Synopsys’ USB 3.0 block, which has already shipped in more than 100 million SoCs.
The DesignWare USB 3.1 IP VDK includes a virtual prototype that includes a processor subsystem reference design, a configurable model of the controller IP, a Linux software stack and reference drivers. Software developers can use the VDK as a target for early software development, bring-up, debug and test, working in parallel with the SoC development effort.
Hardware developers can use the HAPS FPGA-based prototyping system for hardware/software integration and system validation of USB 3.1 designs.
The USB 3.1 VIP is based on Synopsys’ native SystemVerilog and native UVM architecture. It provides built-in coverage, a verification plan and debug to simplify testbench development. The VIP also supports Verdi Protocol Analyzer, a protocol-centric debug environment.
In a press release, Terry Moore, CEO at MCCI, said that designers implementing USB 3.1 could save up to 20 months of engineering effort by using their existing DesignWare USB 3.0 software or, if changing controllers or operating systems, MCCI’s Datapump USB device stack.
Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF president and COO, said that initial USB 3.1 products are expected to appear in early 2015.
The diagram below illustrates Synopsys’ expectations of the uptake of USB 3.1, with the blocks in purple representing early adoption.
Figure 2 Synopsys’ view of the market uptake of USB 3.1 (Source: Synopsys)
Further information
The DesignWare USB 3.1 device controller IP and USB 3.1 VIP are available now. The DesignWare USB 3.1 IP virtual development kit should be available in 1Q2015.
Find out more about USB 3.1 and Synopsys’ implementation in its USB University USB 3.1 protocol overview video.
There’s also a related white paper, here.
