Programmable platform for DSP-algorithms emulation
Client’s Name (Country):
Italtel S.P.A. (Milan, Italy)
The Challenge:
The client had researched and developed devices for mobile communication using custom DSP's and standard chips. Simulating these devices didn't allow their behavior to be checked in real time, and required substantial resources due to their complexity. The client needed a tool for debugging and emulation of custom DSP in hardware. They found that the available universal tools for rapid prototyping were not only very expensive, but unsuitable for such a specific task.
The Solution:
AT Software undertook the creation of a programmable platform for DSP-algorithms emulation, and developed methods of optimal architecture construction for embedded DSP-processors focused on a certain class of applications. The new DSP architectures, as well as the program solutions for initial algorithms, were investigated and debugged on a hardware-software emulator. The working prototype of the emulator was developed and produced by AT Software within the framework of the same project, with subsequent verification of the whole approach on particular applications. The emulator was implemented as an independently developed processor with a changeable instruction set based on Xilinx 4013 FPGA in combination with a flexible architecture coprocessor based on Xilinx FPGA and ICUBE-320 commutation devices.
About the Client Italtel is one of the leading providers of telecommunications in
Europe.
Tools and Technologies:
Xilinx 4013, ICUBE-320, Mentor Graphics tools (Idea Station, QuickSim, BoardStation), Synopsis tools, Xilinx tools (Alianance, Foundation)
Project Duration (months):
9 months