xEMU emulator boards

xEMU-mini is a hardware emulator intended for software development and design verification of XAP processor-based ASICs prior to tape-out.

The XAP processor and application-specific logic are synthesised and loaded into the xEMU-mini’s Spartan 3 FPGA. Elsewhere on the board there are 16-bit RAM and Flash memories together with interfaces for system integration including Ethernet, RS232, GPIO and two IDC connectors to expansion boards. xEMU-mini’s debug interfaces include JTAG, SIF and USB.

Working with emulator boards such as this reduces project risk and accelerates time to market. Systems with working software can be rapidly prototyped and deployed in a target application to verify that they meet the functional requirements before committing to the cost and lead time of ASIC silicon. Software programmers can develop and test applications in advance of silicon availability.

Two emulator boards are available; the xEMU-mini shown here and a larger xEMU that has a Virtex 2 FPGA. The boards are used for XAP processor development and verification. However, they can also be used as general purpose prototyping platforms for any ASIC or FPGA project.

XAP processor licensees will receive an xEMU-mini preprogrammed with the XAP processor integrated into the board’s memory and peripheral devices. Connected via the SIF interface to xIDE running on a computer, the board is configured ready to run and debug XAP programs developed in xIDE.

More details are provided in the data sheet under the literature link.