09/12/2010

Getting ready for the big merge – but ISE 12.3 first

OpenCPI users are aware that we have historically used separate git trees for the HDL and RCC sources. We plan to have them under the same github roof in the not-too-distant future. ISE 12.3 is rolling out soon, we’ve been using the beta with good success, so we will likely get 12.3 under our belt before the merge.

We’ve been asked about AXI as it relates to OpenCPI quite a bit lately. For AXI, currently there isn’t a component authoring model for HDL that provides what OpenCPI provides with the Worker Interface Profiles (WIPs). We’ve found no show-stopper issues as to why AXI can not be rolled into the OpenCPI fold. Such an effort, either AXI bridges to/from OCP-IP/OpenCPI, or native “AXI-fied” OpenCPI is not presently part of our distribution. The OpenCPI team, as well as third parties, are looking at this seriously. A baseline using “shims” or “gaskets”, with a modest tax in area, latency, Fmax, and power, is a likely first step. It is a stretch goal to have some examples (perhaps outside of the OpenCPI tree, or with 3rd parties) once ISE 12.3 drops and it clears our regressions. Stay tuned, it will be a busy autumn!