Processor-core supplier VAutomation (Nashua, N.H.) has extended the compatibility of its V186 synthesizable core to support the AM186EM 80186 microprocessor from Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (Sunnyvale, Calif.). In addition, the company announced new pre-and post-silicon verification and test tools will soon be available to support the use of its 80186 core.
According to VAutomation, the core allows an Intel or AMD 80186 or 0188-compatible microprocessor to be implemented within any ASIC or FPGA technology for system-on-chip integration. The V186 core, including the AM186EM enhancements, is available immediately, priced at $120,000 for a single-project, royalty-free license. The core is supplied with a compliance testbench, synthesis scripts and complete documentation.
VAutomation has also announced that First Silicon Solutions (Portland, Ore.) now offers an on-chip debugger with the features of an in-circuit emulator. Previously, on-chip debug capabilities with this level of sophistication were available only for high-end processors.
The V186 System Analyzer (VSA-186) from First Silicon Solutions provides an in-circuit emulator feature set when the V186 core is embedded in the designer's silicon or within the IntelliCore Prototyping System from VAutomation. It consists of a hardware chassis that handles communication to and from a host PC via RS-232 or optional Ethernet. The chassis controls the V186 with commands sent over a cable connected to the debug port of the V186. The VSA-186 analyzer provides run control, complex triggers and a real-time trace collection. Host PC debug software that controls the chassis includes First Silicon Solutions' source-level debugger interface. The VSA-186 interface is Microsoft Windows 95/NT-compliant.
VAutomation also announced that it is working with EDA company Simpod (Santa Clara, Calif.) to develop hardware simulation models of VAutomation's microprocessor cores. The first model for the V186 core is expected this month.
