A framework for simulation and prototype implementation of custom system-on-chip multiprocessors

This paper describes the combination of code generation and simulation software with a prototype hardware implementation of a base multiprocessor architecture in order to provide a framework for research and experimentation. The software has been adapted with enhancements from the SimpleScalar tool set. The prototype multiprocessor implementation targets a Xilinx XCV2000E programmable logic chip in a rapid prototyping platform that has been provided by the Canadian Microelectronics Corporation. The software enhancements made by the author include simulation support for multiprocessing and the ability to readily introduce new instructions into the machine instruction set for initial testing of application code in simulation. The detailed implementation of new instructions and related hardware features can then be pursued in the prototype multiprocessor in programmable logic. An example of including new instructions for atomic read-modify-write capability in multiprocessing is used for illustrative purposes. The framework described in this paper has the benefit of enabling full customization without restriction in order to best serve research needs.