International Business Machines Corporation

Jeanne Trinko-Mechler

David Robert Stauffer

Steven Frederick Oakland

Ravi Kumar Kolagotla

Thomas Gregory Sopchak

Francis A Kampf

Pamela Sue Gillis

Chris Joseph Rebeor

Dennis A Miller

Maria Noack

Embodiments herein present a method for automated simulation testbench generation for serializer/deserializer datapath systems. The method provides a database of transactors for generating and checking data within the datapath system, wherein the transactors are adaptable to arbitrary configurations of the datapath system. The database is provided with a single set of transactors per core. Next, the method automatically selects one set of transactors from the database for inclusion into the simulation testbenches. Following this, the method maps the first datapath and the second datapath through the datapath system by interconnecting the selected set of the transactors with the datapath system. The method further comprises setting control pins on the cores to facilitate propagation of the data through the cores of the datapath system. Subsequently, the control pins are traced to input ports and control registers.

Automated simulation testbench generation for serializer/deserializer datapath systems

An automated bit-sliced datapath system generating tool is built so design can be performed at a higher level, and automated generation of the synthesizable HDL representation can be accomplished are disclosed. A method defines datapath system characteristics, defines core/pin rules, and then constructs class-type inference rules that can be used for automatically generating the datapath system. An 'orthogonal bundling' technique is used that groups pin by a class, and also by a channel identifier. The class-type inference rule corresponding to each class uses of the following factors to infer appropriate wiring: 1) number and type of pins in the class created by the instantiation of cores by the user; 2) attribute definitions on pins set by library core/pin rules; 3) user selection of 'global attributes'; 4) user definition of channel bit order (&#x201c;link orders&#x201d;) to imply the order of connection between stages; and 5) user-defined attributes set on pin classes.

Method, system and program product for building an automated datapath system generating tool

A scan architecture for testing integrated circuit chips containing scannable memory devices, such as register arrays, is operable in a bypass mode during which only a small portion of the memory cells in each device or array is inserted in the scan path to substantially reduce scan path length, test time and test data volume during testing of other logic components in the circuit chip. Additional decoder logic is employed to select a small number of words in the device or array during the scan-bypass mode, and multiplexor circuitry removes the bypassed words from the scan path. By leaving the small number of the register array words in the scan path, observability of logic upstream of the array, and controllability of logic downstream of the array, is preserved during the bypass mode without the need for additional shift register latches and other external logic components.

Scan-bypass architecture without additional external latches

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Essex Junction, VT, United States of America

Jeanne Trinko-Mechler