Business Trends and Design
Methodologies for IP Reuse
Allen C.-H. Wu
Department of Computer Science
Tsing Hua University
Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C
{Email: chunghaw@cs.nthu.edu.tw}
What are IPs?
 Soft IP: synthesizable HDL description.
 Firm IP: gate-level netlists.
 Hard IP: silicon blocks.
Design Reuse
 It has been a common practice in software
developments for years.
 It has been a common practice in electronic
product developments for years.
 What’s new here?
 Is it for real or hype???
IPs and Design Reuse in Software
Functions
Procedures
Sub-programs
Soft IP
Source Code
Reuse
Executable Code
Program
Hard IP
Horizontally VS. Vertically Integrated
System Companies
 Horizontally integrated system companies
focus on system designs only and
outsourcing many design tasks.
 Vertically integrated system companies use a
system-to-silicon in-house model.
In-House Model
System design division
Reuse
In-house core
providers
Semiconductor division
Business Trends
 System companies are interested in
designing and manufacturing systems
quickly with low developing costs.
 Semiconductor companies are interested in
attracting more customers and increasing the
volume of their production.
 INCREASING THEIR REVENUE$$$$$
Why IP Reuse is a Need in Chip and
System Design
 Increasing design complexity.
 System-on-a-chip technology.
 Time-to-Market pressure.
 Worldwide designer shortage.
IP-based Model
IP provider
IP provider
System design division
IPs
Reuse
In-house core
providers
The Factors to Achieve a Successful IP
Business
Customers
Who are the customers?
Market
Where is the market?
YOU
What’s your business model?
Technology
Is the technology ready?
Market for IPs
 Soft IPs: too many hurdles need to be
overcome; e.g., legal and security issues.
 Firm IPs: some technical issues need to be
resolved; e.g., performance and security
issues.
 Hard IPs: may be more realistic which has
been used in many projects.
Who are the Customers?
 The system companies who are only
interesting in buying your IPs.
 The system companies who are interesting
in both of the IPs and the ASIC design
service.
Obstacles for Commercial IP
 Commodity IP isn’t a sustainable business
model
 Support costs three times as much as core
development.
 Scalable products will survivors, e.g., MIPS
Technology Inc., Advanced RISC Machines
Ltd. And DSP Group Inc.
Business Strategy for IP Vendors
 NOW => Provide cell libraries.
 NOW => Provide chip layout services.
 How to enter IP business and bring in more
revenue?
 How to use IPs to sell cell libraries?
 How to use design services to sell IPs?
 How to use cell libraries and IPs to bring in
more design service revenue?
Considerations for IP Vendors
 Definition of suitable cores with high
usability.
 Design of these cores with proper set of
parameters to cover a broad segment of the
market.
 Packaging those cores with proper interfaces
and documentation for easy use.
 Support IP-reuse evaluation and design
methodologies and platform.
 Developing business and customer model for
distribution and use of cores.
Requirements for Supporting IP Reuse
 Define the sufficient specification to support
IP reuse, such as functionality, electrical,
mechanical, and timing parameters.
 Provide multi-level HDL models to support
design verification, simulation, and testing.
 Provide test bench and testing scheme.
 Provide techniques for generating interfaces
for IP reuse.
 IP upgrading for functionality and features.
Design Methodologies supporting IP
Reuse
Netlists
Floorplanning
Place & Route
Verification
Tape out
IPs
Hard &
Firm IPs
Design Methodologies supporting IP
Reuse
Design spec.
Simulation
Environment
IP-based synthesis
IPs
Netlists
Floorplanning
Place & Route
Verification
Tape out
IPs
Functionality
Performance
IP-based Synthesis Method and
Environment
 Platform to map a design specification to a
RTL design by reusing IPs.
 Platform for design verification and
evaluation.
 => How to convince your customers to use
your IPs?
Business and Customer Model
 Marketing strategy.
 Accounting .
 Customer training in reuse techniques for
different IPs.
 Patenting, licensing and royalty collection
from the IP users.
Business Model 1
 Buying IPs only: the system companies have
their own system integration methodology
and environment.
 Hard IPs: modeling issues.
 Firm IPs: modeling and security issues.
Business Model 2
 Buying IPs and ASIC design service.
 IP-reuse methodology and environment.
 Licensing issues when using third-party IPs.
 Modeling issues.
 Minimal security issues.
 Very flexible - provide either hard or firm IPs.
 How to include IP-reuse into current design
flow - a IP-reuse driven design flow.
Hurdles Need to be Overcome
 Modeling issues.
 IP-reuse synthesis methodology and
environment.
 An IP-based chip design methodology.
 Security issues.
 Customer-specific business models.