IP-XACT extensions for IP interoperability guarantees and software model generation

This paper presents a set of novel metadata extensions that are used to specify the interfaces on Xilinx IP cores and their software models under a uniform data model which allows enhanced design rule checking in the system design process. We also present a suite of tools which can be used to generate executable software simulation models of complete systems from their specifications under that data model. These tools may be used stand-alone, or may be used to extend the capabilities of the Vivado IP Integrator tool that has recently been released by Xilinx. Our tool flow has been used successfully to generate software simulation models for two 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) physical layer systems: uplink receive and downlink transmit.