Rapid prototyping technology accelerates software development for complex network systems

In two projects involving highly complex networking systems, our group at Cisco used Aptix Corporation´s rapid-prototyping technology for verification and software co-development. In the first project, the verification cost and time were cut nearly in half. In the second project, diagnostic code and part of the final driver software were ready before the actual system hardware was available. The systems being verified are among the most complex networking products developed by Cisco. The system developed in the first project employs 16-layer, double-sided PCBs, measuring 14×19 inches and containing more than 300 ICs each. This paper describes the evaluation process that led us to the adoption of the rapid-prototyping approach as well as the strategies used for application of rapid prototyping in both projects