iobundle / iob-soc-tester

System-on-Chip for In-Silicon Verification of IP Cores

IOb-SoC-Tester

IOb-SoC-Tester is a platform for developing and validating hardware/software (HW/SW) algorithms. This platform utilizes RISC-V CPUs and peripherals called Test Instruments (TIs).

This project initially started with the OpenCryptoTester to verify cryptographic systems that improve internet security. However, the IOb-SoC Tester can also be used to test any Core or SoC. The proposed tester SoC should open the way for open-source test instrumentation operated bare-metal or under Linux.

List of developed Test Instruments

• IOb-REGFILEIF: Provides a register file with configurable read/write access.
• IOb-AxiStream: Provides an AXI Stream interface.
• IOb-GPIO: Provides a General Purpose Input/Output interface.
• IOb-Monitor: Provides a Programmable Finite State Machine (PFSM) based Monitor with configurable I/Os.
• IOb-ILA: Provides an Integrated Logic Analyzer.
• IOb-DMA: Provides an AXI Stream-based Direct Memory Interface interface for other system peripherals.
• IOb-Timer: Provides a Timer.
• IOb-SPI: Provides an SPI interface.
• IOb-NCO: Provides a Numerically Controlled Oscillator with a configurable clock output.

Repository moved

The new Tester contents along with up-to-date instructions and an example System Under Test (SUT) are available at the IOb-SoC-SUT repository.

Brief development history

This repository used to contain a Tester SoC based on IOb-SoC until its functionality was merged into the IOb-SoC system itself.

The Tester consists of an SoC derived from IOb-SoC and contains a set of IOb-SoC-compatible peripherals to be used as verification tools.

Each peripheral provides a new interface to the Tester, allowing it to connect, control and monitor the IOs of the Unit Under Test (UUT).

The Tester used to be a standalone SoC using a Makefile-based setup and build system. However, as many of the Tester components are shared with IOb-Soc, those components were removed from the Tester system, and are instead sourced from the IOb-SoC repository. The IOb-SoC repository is usually added as a git submodule for easier version control.

Currently the IObundle projects use a Python-based Object Oriented setup process, that allows for easier integration of components and creation of component derivations.

The new Tester used in the IOb-SoC-SUT repository is a subclass of IOb-SoC that creates a derivation of that system. It also contains the specialized tools required to verify that System Under Test (SUT).

The Tester system is compatible with any Unit Under Tester (UUT) as it does not impose any hardware constraints. For instructions on how to set up the Tester with a generic UUT, see this section.

Acknowledgement

First of all, we acknowledge all the volunteer contributors for all their valuable pull requests, issues, and discussions.

The OpenCryptoTester project is funded through the NGI Assure Fund, a fund established by NLnet with financial support from the European Commission's Next Generation Internet programme, under the aegis of DG Communications Networks, Content and Technology under grant agreement No 957073.

The work has been partially performed in the scope of the A-IQ Ready project, which receives funding within Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) - the Public-Private Partnership for research, development, and innovation under Horizon Europe – and National Authorities under grant agreement No. 101096658.

The A-IQ Ready project is supported by the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) - the Public-Private Partnership for research, development, and innovation under Horizon Europe – and National Authorities under Grant Agreement No. 101096658.

iob-soc-tester's Issues

list developed test instruments

List developed test instruments in the README.md where indicated