MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF.:Synopsys, Inc announced the DesignWare System-Level Library. The library provides high- performance SystemC transaction-level simulation models (TLMs) for assembling virtual platforms, including instruction set simulators (ISS), and TLMs of Synopsys' DesignWare Cores and ARM AMBA interconnect components. All DesignWare System-Level Library models are written in SystemC and work in IEEE 1666 (SystemC) compliant simulation environments, making them tool- independent.

Transaction-level models are the basic building blocks required to build virtual platforms for early hardware/software co-design, architectural exploration and system verification. Virtual platforms are fast, full-function simulation models of the hardware that enable development and integration of software months before hardware is available.

"The largest ESL market today is the software virtual prototype, and it could also be the fastest growing but for two issues," said Gary Smith, chief analyst of Gary Smith EDA. "First is a standard modeling language and second is a critical mass of models using that language. Synopsys' introduction of the SystemC based Transaction-level models in their DesignWare System-Level Library addresses both of these."

The DesignWare System-Level Library features more than 50 TLMs, including high performance models of ARM processors and models of DesignWare standards- based connectivity IP such as USB 2.0 HS OTG, SATA AHCI and AMBA interconnect components. Also included are pre-assembled models of complete platforms, such as the ARM Integrator™ Platform, which can be used as reference designs for driver development or as a starting point for building larger virtual platforms.

"One of the obstacles to faster adoption of electronic system-level development methodologies has been the lack of fast transaction-level models," said Joachim Kunkel, vice president and general manager of Synopsys' Solutions Group. "The availability of transaction-level models for our widely used DesignWare IP as well as third party components can significantly shorten the time required to build virtual platforms for pre-silicon hardware/software integration projects, architectural exploration and system-level verification."