A versatile component integration tool for rapid prototyping in programmable logic

This paper describes a versatile and extensible software tool called QUI²VER to support integration of custom components for research prototyping in programmable logic. From higher-level specifications of components and interconnections in an input file, QUI ²VER generates an output VHDL file with a desired system configuration. The value of QUI²VER stems from how abstract interfaces can be specified in support of component interconnection for system-level configuration. Because it is an original research tool, QUI ²VER can also be readily modified and enhanced to serve research needs. The utility of QUI²VER is illustrated by describing its use in the prototype implementation of a multibank embedded memory architecture in an Altera Stratix logic chip as part of ongoing system-on-chip research