[June 07, 2011]

OCP-IP Delivers Memory Model Package

Open Core Protocol International Partnership (OCP (News - Alert)-IP) today announced the availability of an Accurate Dynamic Random-Access Memory Model (ADM) package. The ADM is a configurable, transaction-level model for Dynamic Random-Access Memories (DRAMs). This model is more accurate than existing DRAM models currently used for system-simulation because it considers the major delay parameters of real DRAMs and imitates their timing behavior with access dependencies captured. A demonstration program provided in the package can be used to test the delay and throughput of the DRAM for certain traffic flows, more accurately representing the performance of systems and enabling a realistic evaluation of Networks on Chip (NOCs) deployed in those systems.

The model package was developed in SystemC using OCP-IP's TLM Kit, and can be combined with other OCP-compatible modules through an OCP TL1 interface. The OCP TLM kit is the first, and most advanced TLM-2.0 based, industry-ready kit. The TLM Kit significantly increases performance, ease-of-use and ensures alignment with the OSCI 2.0 standard. The kits are free, as part of OCP-IP membership entitlement and save users hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in development, documentation, and training costs otherwise required to develop such kits independently.

This new ADM package was developed by Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in conjunction with members of OCP-IP's Network on Chip Benchmarking working group including: Tampere University of Technology, Boston University, University of British Columbia, Carnegie Melon University, Princeton, Washington State University, and Transylvania University in cooperation with industry members of the OCP-IP.

The memory model package was developed based on a white paper on the subject of memory modeling titled, "A Memory Subsystem Model for Evaluating Network-on-Chip Performance."

The package is freely available to both OCP-IP members and non-members alike, through GNU LGPL licensing at http://www.ocpip.org/memory_model.php.

"The work on this memory model package by our Network on Chip Working Group enables co-operation and collaboration among both industry and academic researchers, ensuring synergy advantages in the field of NoCs," said Ian Mackintosh, president and chairman of OCP-IP. "We are extremely proud to host our forum where the world's most prestigious universities and industry researchers in the field of NoC investigation can come together."

A fully functional version of OCP-IP's TLM kit without monitors is also available free to non-members, via click through research license agreement from www.ocpip.org. More information on the TLM Kits is available here.

The Network on Chip Benchmarking Working Group has also issued an open call for Benchmarks to be distributed to researchers. NoC researchers may submit benchmarks from any application domain to be included. For more information on the call for benchmarks, please see http://www.ocpip.org/ocpspec_call_for_benchmarks.php.

Institutions interested in joining the work of OCP-IP's Network on Chip Benchmarking Working Group should contact [email protected].

For the latest information on OCP-IP, please see our newsletter at http://www.ocpip.org/newsletters.php.

About OCP-IP

Formed in 2001, OCP-IP is a non-profit corporation promoting, supporting and delivering the only openly licensed, core-centric protocol comprehensively fulfilling integration requirements of heterogeneous multicore systems. The Open Core Protocol (OCP) facilitates IP core reusability and reduces design time, risk, and manufacturing costs for all SoC and electronic designs by providing a comprehensive supporting infrastructure. For additional background and membership information, visit www.OCPIP.org.

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