Definition

• It is a format and language (description of signals and protocol) that defines the services one system is capable of delivering to another
  
  
• It is not a Bus or a MicroNetwork – it is an interface that allows interoperable connection of virtual components to major on-chip busses and MicroNetworks in the industry to ensure rapid creation and integration of interoperable virtual components
  
  

• Common Standards for intellectual property (IP) core interfaces, or sockets; for interfacing IPs with on-chip buses and MicroNetworks to support IP re-use

  Usually the standards define:
  
  • A protocol for the transfer of requests and responses
  • The contents and coding of these requests and responses
  
  Usually they do not touch areas such as arbitration
  

Common Characteristics

• Allows SoC designers to connect cores from different IP vendors to rapidly create a system-on-chip
  
  
• Standardized interfaces replace the need to create the costly and time consuming highly customized interfaces required in bus-based designs

Available Solutions

• AMBA; www.arm.com
  
  
• OCP; VCI compatible; complete socket for IP cores www.ocp-ip.org
  
  
• VCI - Virtual Component Interface; www.vsi.org
  
  
  
• Wishbone - OpenCores.Org/Silicore Corp.
  
  
  

Alternative Solutions

• MicroNetwork
• Buses