IBM Selects Simutech's eValab IP Services for On-line Evaluation of Its PowerPC Core

SAN FRANCISCO, Embedded Systems Conference, April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Simutech has announced that its eValab(TM) IP Services can now be used interactively to assess the unique capabilities of the IBM PowerPC Core. IBM is working with Design & Reuse (D&R), a web based IP catalog provider to communicate all static information about the core. Through the same site, designers can move to real PowerPC silicon hosted on Simutech's eValab Platform for dynamic evaluation. The standalone PowerPC evaluation is the first phase of a multi-phase program that will ultimately allow users to interact with IBM's market leading CoreConnect bus architecture and multi-IP solutions based on this emerging industry standard.

The PowerPC core evaluation will support both pre-defined software libraries for evaluation of typical PowerPC applications, and, in the future, support evaluation with user code that can be uploaded over the web. The silicon model utilizes a standard PowerPC evaluation board connected to Simutech eValab Platform and CoreBoards. A custom browser based interface will allow users to access real PowerPC silicon from behind a firewall, and without the need to learn a new tool. Users will be able to run the PowerPC at real time speeds and view statistics of code runs for in-depth analysis and first level qualification.

``Simutech's eValab IP services provides IBM's PowerPC customers rapid access to customer specific information and interactivity never thought possible,'' stated Doug Fairbairn, CEO, Simutech. ``By offering a secure environment that is available around the clock, we are enabling our customers to dramatically speed up the front end of the design cycle.''

IBM Connects PowerPC to SoC Designers

The first interactive evaluation scenario supports user-specific configurations and data sets for network processing software applications running on the PowerPC. The scenario is entirely accessible through an Internet browser and produces a performance report and results specific to the user's configuration. Future scenarios will enable designers to vary IP around the CoreConnect bus, while varying software configurations. The scenarios will provide the basis for IP consumers to easily assess function, quality, and architectural characteristics of IBM's PowerPC as well as increase their confidence in the PowerPC in a variety of application areas.

``IBM has been a leader in recognizing that online evaluation and qualification is critical to the ultimate confidence, predictability, and success of SoC designs,'' stated Dan Yoder, general manager of Simutech's Technical Sales Automation business unit. ``With its unique, Internet enabled, reconfigurable prototyping technology, Simutech is providing designers interactive access to state of the art PowerPC silicon, running in real time, from any desktop.''

Availability

PowerPC evaluation scenarios are currently in the beta stage. Global online availability is scheduled for late Q2 of 2001. For more information, contact info@simutech.com or contact Simutech direct at 408-467-1537. For International inquiries, please contact 44-1506-468-102.

About Simutech

Simutech's customers include leading electronics systems, semiconductor, and IP companies. Simutech's products enable web based technical component evaluation, hardware-software co-development, and full SoC verification.

Note: Simutech, eValab, RAVE, the Simutech logo, and other Simutech TM are registered trademarks of Simutech. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.