The On-Chip Communication Network (OCCN) proposes an
efficient, open-source research and development framework for the specification,
modeling and simulation of on-chip communication architectures. OCCN increases
the productivity of developing new models for on-chip communication
architectures through the definition of a universal Application Programming
Interface (API) and an object-oriented C++ library built on top of SystemC.
Moreover, OCCN enables reuse of executable models across a variety of
SystemC-based environments and simulation platforms, and addresses various
design exploration, model portability, simulation platform independence,
interoperability, and high-level performance modeling issues. OCCN focuses on
modeling of complex network on-chip communication by providing a flexible,
open-source, object-oriented C++-based framework consisting of an open-source,
GNU GPL-licensed library, built on top of SystemC.
This environment provides several important on-chip network modeling features.
Object-oriented
design concepts, fully exploiting advantages of this software development
paradigm.
Efficient
system-level modeling at various levels of abstraction. For example, OCCN
allows modeling of reconfigurable communication systems, e.g. based on
reconfigurable FPGA. In these models, both the channel structure and binding
change during runtime.
Optimized
design based on system modularity, refinement of communication protocols, and
IP reuse principles. Notice that even if we completely change the internal data
representation and implementation semantics of a particular system module (or
communication channel), while keeping a similar external interface, users can
continue to use the module in the same way.
Reduced
development time and improved simulation speed through powerful C++ classes.
System-level
debugging using a seamless approach, i.e. the core debugger is able to send
detailed requests to the model, e.g. dump memory, or insert breakpoint.
Plug-and-play
integration and exchange of models with system-level tools supporting SystemC,
such as System Studio(Synopsys), NC-Sim (Cadence), and Coware, making SystemC
model reuse a reality.
Efficient
simulation using direct linking with standard, nonproprietary SystemC versions.
Early
design exploration for On-Chip Communication Architecture (OCCA) models,
including high-level system performance and power modeling.
OCCN has been developed on Sun, but it works just as well on most Unix/Linux systems.
OCCN is developed under the GNU General Public License.