Synopsys and OCP-IP Members Jointly Develop SystemC Modeling Methodology for OCP-Based SoC Design

Nokia, Texas Instruments, Sonics and Synopsys to Publish OCP SystemC API Specification and Example Models

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and PORTLAND, Oregon -- October 15, 2002 -- Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS), the technology leader in complex integrated circuit (IC) design, and Open Core Protocol International Partnership (OCP-IP), the association providing a common, open source standard for intellectual property core interfaces, today announced the development of a SystemC modeling methodology for OCP-based SoCs. Nokia, Texas Instruments, Sonics and Synopsys are publishing an application programming interface (API) specification and example models to enable OCP users to utilize best-in-class SystemC™ design and verification methodologies. Designers of complex systems-on-chips (SoCs) can now create SystemC models for OCP-compliant components, enabling a seamless design flow from high-level system specification to OCP-based SoC implementation.

"Users of OCP, such as Texas Instruments and Nokia, now have clear guidelines on how to design OCP-based systems using SystemC," said Joachim Kunkel, vice president of marketing for Intellectual Property and System Level Design at Synopsys. "This API and the SystemC examples give these companies the methodology to manage design complexity of OCP-based SoCs at higher levels of design abstraction."

The new methodology covers generic modeling of communication with hardware and software components down to cycle-accurate OCP modeling at the transaction level. OCP-IP members Nokia, TI and Sonics, together with Synopsys, are jointly writing the OCP SystemC API specification. The API specification comes with SystemC examples, comparable to the widely accepted 'simple_bus' model Synopsys contributed to the Open SystemC Initiative (OSCI) earlier this year. A white paper is available from the OCP-IP Web site today at http://www.OCPIP.org. The API specification and SystemC example models will be available for download from the contributions area on the OSCI web site in Q4 2002.

"The OCP SystemC API will help TI model early IP behavior in simulation environments and allow us to make architectural and performance trade-offs without worrying about interfaces," said Maxime Leclercq, system engineer at TI's San Diego Wireless Center. "Today, when architecting complex SoCs or IP modules, we spend a significant amount of time and energy defining interfaces and internal bus topologies. SystemC-based OCP transaction models allow system engineers to focus on the real value of the IP, and links high-level performance models with implementation by providing a socket that is scalable to all stages of the design flow."

"From the system designers' perspective, the OCP SystemC API gives us the capability to use communication models for system-level simulation that are easily refinable to the implementation level," said Anssi Haverinen, research manager for Nokia. "This makes it easy to mix models of different abstraction levels, for example, an RTL model can be plugged into a bus-cycle accurate system-level simulation. Furthermore, it gives users of other system-level languages OCP transaction-level semantics which can be implemented in those languages, thus providing interface-level interoperability with SystemC models and OCP components."

About Synopsys
Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS), headquartered in Mountain View, California, creates leading EDA tools for the global electronics market. The company delivers advanced design technologies and solutions to developers of complex integrated circuits, electronic systems and systems on a chip. Synopsys also provides consulting and support services to simplify the overall IC design process and accelerate time to market for its customers. Visit Synopsys at http://www.synopsys.com.

About OCP-IP
The OCP International Partnership Association, Inc. (OCP-IP) was formed in December 2001 to promote and support the open core protocol (OCP) as the complete socket standard that ensures rapid creation and integration of interoperable virtual components. In addition to Sonics, Inc., the inventor of the OCP technology, OCP-IP's founding members and initial Governing Steering Committee participants are: Nokia [NYSE: NOK], Texas Instruments [NYSE: TXN], MIPS Technologies [NasdaqNM: MIPS], and United Microelectronics Corporation [NYSE: UMC]. OCP-IP is a non-profit corporation focused on delivering the first fully supported, openly licensed core-centric protocol that comprehensively fulfills system-level integration requirements. The OCP facilitates IP core reusability and reduces design time and risk, along with manufacturing costs for SOC designs. For additional background and membership information, visit http://www.OCPIP.org.

Synopsys is a registered trademark of Synopsys, Inc. SystemC is a trademark of the Open SystemC Initiative (OSCI). All other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.