The Research And Implement Of Hardware/Software Co-design Platform Based On SOPC

Along with the rapid development of information technology, As the perfect of computer architecture theory and the revolution of microelectronic technology, embedded technique got new progress, the research and application of which is currently hot spot. SoPC(System on Programmable Chip) as a new technology combined SoC and CPLD/FPGA,with the advantages of both, adapt to the application domain of both. And because of its flexibility, it shortens the time cycle for product development.Nios II microprocessor which is developed by Altera Inc. based on SoPC technology is a changeable, general RISC CPU. Using Nios II CPU combined with the developer's idea can be realized in FPGA. The whole design process represents the design idea of hardware/software Co-design, reconfigurable, orient to user, orient to application. Other than, using the integrated development kit and assistant development tools such as SOPC Builder can improve the development speed of Nios II system design and verification, which has the good support to the development and application of embedded system products.The source of this paper is a science and technology project of Wuhan named"The Implement of an ASIC System which intergrated the Experiments Design and Applications Development"(No. 20043007077-19). The intention of this project is give an experiment platform for the courses such as computer architecture, single chip theory in the undergraduate education. This paper mainly discussed the application of hardware/software Co-design method in the project, described the SOPC system component development in detail. There are three parts of this work:1. The principle chat and printed circuit board develop, the hardware platform setting and debugging;2. Hardware system control logic customize, include Nios II CPU IP Core and the IP Core of peripheral equipment. Develop the control logic of custom peripheral;3. According to the hardware resource, customize theμClinux embedded OS in component, port the kenel which has been configured. Develop the LCD screen display software application which running on the plarform.The project can be a board for ASIC component experiment design, singalchip application develops, CPLD/FPGA project develop, and SOPC system develop. It has been running steadily in the hardware laboratory in Computer College of Jianghan University.