An emerging architecture and implementation for UWB MAC validation

We propose an architecture designed to connect two MACs at the MAC-PHY Interface (MPI) for UWB application which gives the same interface as that of the Base band Processor (BBP) at the MAC boundary. The proposed architecture replaces the physical medium by emulating the real PHY interface thereby eliminating the need for actual PHY during the MAC validation phase. By using this proposed architecture instead of real Base Band Processor, the functional verification and FPGA validation time of the MAC design is reduced to a great extent. This architecture is used in the FPGA validation of multi-million gates SoC designed for UWB applications. UWB technology offers a solution for high bandwidth, low cost, low power consumption, and physical size requirements of next-generation consumer electronic devices. Also, UWB technology offers a combination of performance and ease of use, unparalleled by other interconnect options available today.