System on a Chip (SoC)System on a Chip (SoC)

An OverviewAn Overview

David CheungDavid CheungChristopher ShannonChristopher Shannon

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

What is a SoC?What is a SoC? Implementation OptionsImplementation Options DesignDesign AdvantagesAdvantages DisadvantagesDisadvantages TigerSHARCTigerSHARC Future of SoCsFuture of SoCs

• Tolapai exampleTolapai example

What is a SoC?What is a SoC?

Necessary components of a Necessary components of a computer system embedded on a computer system embedded on a single silicon die.single silicon die.

SiP – System in a Package : multiple SiP – System in a Package : multiple die in a single package.die in a single package.

SoP – System on a Package : multiple SoP – System on a Package : multiple layers of discrete components layers of discrete components

A typical SoC will contain:A typical SoC will contain:• A processorA processor• Onboard execution memory (SRAM)Onboard execution memory (SRAM)• Peripheral systems & interfaces Peripheral systems & interfaces

connected to the processing core via a connected to the processing core via a SoC busSoC bus

• Many microcontrollers may contain Many microcontrollers may contain FLASH memory for program storage FLASH memory for program storage

How is a SoC implemented?How is a SoC implemented?

ASIC – Application Specific IC, very ASIC – Application Specific IC, very integrated, yet very expensiveintegrated, yet very expensive

FPGA – Cheaper to implement, field FPGA – Cheaper to implement, field reprogrammablereprogrammable

Programmable Devices – Off the shelf Programmable Devices – Off the shelf devices, quick to program, cheap.devices, quick to program, cheap.

SoC Design:SoC Design:

IP hardware blocks and software blocks IP hardware blocks and software blocks developed in paralleldeveloped in parallel

Hardware in CADHardware in CAD Software in development environmentSoftware in development environment Emulated and verified on FPGAEmulated and verified on FPGA Place and Route, created in silicon Place and Route, created in silicon

SoC AdvantagesSoC Advantages

Decreased power consumptionDecreased power consumption Increased reliabilityIncreased reliability Smaller board spaceSmaller board space Can be cheaper when using ready to Can be cheaper when using ready to

go componentsgo components

SoC DisadvantagesSoC Disadvantages

Extremely high design cost (for the Extremely high design cost (for the actual chip)actual chip)

Large silicon space may be requiredLarge silicon space may be required Component testing may be difficultComponent testing may be difficult Prototyping may take longerPrototyping may take longer Intellectual property (IP) issuesIntellectual property (IP) issues

TigerSHARCTigerSHARC

TigerSHARC contains several SoC TigerSHARC contains several SoC components:components:• Execution memoryExecution memory• Processing CoreProcessing Core• Peripheral interface:Peripheral interface:

Link portsLink ports EBIU portEBIU port JTAG portJTAG port Ext. flags, timers, DMA, etcExt. flags, timers, DMA, etc

Where are SoCs Headed?Where are SoCs Headed?

More tightly integrates SoCs will More tightly integrates SoCs will result in smaller electronic products result in smaller electronic products that use less power, are faster, and that use less power, are faster, and more reliablemore reliable

Nano scale robots for fighting human Nano scale robots for fighting human diseases, curing diseases.diseases, curing diseases.

Intel TolapaiIntel Tolapai

The XScale replacement is not a pure The XScale replacement is not a pure processor, but rather a tightly processor, but rather a tightly integrated SoCintegrated SoC

Does away with many supporting Does away with many supporting chips (North, South bridges as found chips (North, South bridges as found in typical systems)in typical systems)

Aimed at mobile devices market Aimed at mobile devices market (PDAs, cell phones, etc)(PDAs, cell phones, etc)

ADSP-BF561 Dual Core Blackfin SoC

Dallas DS80C Network Microcontroller