First Silicon Solutions Introduces MED (Multi-Core Embedded Debug)
Instrumentation Solution for SoC Designs

PORTLAND, OREGON, Feb. 2, 2004 -- First Silicon Solutions (FS2) announces today the availability of its MED(TM)   System for SoC Multi-Core Embedded Debug. The MED System is a vender independent integrated debug architecture, probe, and software solution providing on-chip system diagnostics and debug, and integration of analysis capabilities for complex designs containing multiple processors and IP subsystems.   By embedding comprehensive and dedicated instrumentation subsystems, MED provides a new class of debug architecture allowing system level visibility of embedded processors, on-chip buses, and IP blocks operations and interactions.

Most silicon debug is JTAG based and therefore limited to single core solutions. MED on-chip architecture extends the JTAG infrastructure with FS2's proprietary OCI ® (On-Chip Instrumentation) technology, to provide in-depth diagnostic capabilities and features including:

•  Concurrent debugger support for multiple heterogeneous cores

•  Integration of configurable logic analysis and bus monitoring capabilities

•  Support for system-level triggering, control, and time stamping.

MED integrates with debug blocks for leading processor cores to allow synchronized transfer of up to 4 independent debug data streams over a single test port. Cores being debugged can be dynamically selected on-chip from up to 64 embedded cores or IP subsystems on a chip. On the software side, MED interfaces to leading processor debugger tools, allowing users to use their existing preferred software tools for a given processor, while gaining the ability to debug several processors concurrently. MED also includes tools and IP for bus trace and debug of embedded buses (AMBA AHB and Sonics SiliconBackplane are initially supported) and customer IP blocks. The MED architecture is fully synthesizable and processor independent, with scalable trace and triggering features and options to support diverse architectures.

"MED capabilities are a revolutionary next stage in the ability to debug complex SoC designs", said Rick Leatherman, President of FS2.   "Building on our base of experience in processor core and logic in-system analyzers, the FS2 MED system IP and tools provide users a new and powerful capability to address the increasingly complex problems associated with multi-core debug of sophisticated ASIC designs. We see MED support as a new resource throughout the design cycle, from bringing up 'first silicon' to enabling system optimization and performance analysis capabilities that were not previously possible."

Availability and Architecture Specific Customization
FS2 will focus near term MED licensing on Integrated Device Manufacturers and IP and ASIC venders, whose customers have complex debug requirements for multi-processor architectures. MED is configurable and can be customized to address user specific requirements, ranging from new cores and buses to specialized performance analysis. FS2 provides design support services to customers needing debug interface development or enhancement in conjunction with MED capabilities.   FS2 plans for later in 2004 include releases of customized versions of MED architectures that will address system-level debug tools needed in the high-end FPGA markets.  

The initial MED technical information will be presented in a paper at DesignCon 2004. Contact Neal Stollon ( neals @ fs2.com ) or visit www.fs2.com for additional information and pricing.

About First Silicon Solutions (FS2)
FS2 specializes in custom silicon IP, design services, and OCI® (On-Chip Instrumentation) development tools for programming, testing and debug of embedded systems. FS2's OCI®- based products include CLAM ® (Configurable Logic Analyzer Modules) and ISA(TM) (In System Analyzer) tools for debug of FPGA, SoC, SOPC, ASSP and ASIC devices. FS2's products enable silicon vendors and their customers to develop and more effectively market their products, reduce development cycles, and allow them to focus on delivering all the potential of the system on silicon. Additional information is available at   http://www.fs2.com

FS2, MED, OCI, CLAM and ISA are trademarks of First Silicon Solutions.

SiliconBackplane is the trademark of Sonics Inc.