IP-based LSI design system and design method

Abstract

An IP database includes a system level IP used in system level design. IPs A and B in the system level IP are divided into processing algorithm description portions, input data structure definition portions and output data structure definition portions. When a communication channel is provided between the IPs communicating data in architecture or functional design, a conversion circuit generating means generates a data conversion circuit between the communication channel and each of the IPs with reference to the IP database.

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . An IP-based LSI design system comprising: 
 a function classification database in which an equipment configuration is classified into respective elements in consideration of reuse with regard to function and arranged systematically,    wherein IP-based LSI design is carried out using the function classification database.    
   
   
       16 . The 2-based LSI design system according to  claim 15 , 
 further comprising an existing design asset database in which IPs already generated are stored in association with elements in the function classification database,    wherein an IP suitable for an LSI to be designed is selected from the IPs stored in the existing design asset database with reference to the function classification database.    
   
   
       17 . The IP-based LSI design system according to  claim 16 , 
 further comprising a design assets compatibility evaluation rule database that stores information for defining mutual compatibility between the IPs stored in the existing design asset database,    wherein compatibility of the IP selected for the LSI to be designed is evaluated with reference to the design assets compatibility evaluation rule database.    
   
   
       18 . The IP-based LSI design system according to  claim 16 , 
 wherein an IP having a similar function to that of an IP suitable for the LSI to be designed is selected from the IPs stored in the existing design asset database, and    wherein the function of the selected IP is revised so as to be suitable for the LSI to be designed.    
   
   
       19 . The IP-based LSI design system according to  claim 16 , 
 wherein the existing design asset database comprises a means for managing history information, such as a progenitor IP and differences from the progenitor IP, for each of the IPs to be stored.    
   
   
       20 . An IP-based LSI design method, 
 wherein IP-based LSI design is carried out using a function classification database in which an equipment configuration is classified into respective elements in consideration of reuse with regard to function and arranged systematically.    
   
   
       21 . The IP-based LSI design method according to  claim 20 , 
 using an existing design asset database in which IPs already generated are stored in association with respective elements in the function classification database,    wherein an IP suitable for an LSI to be designed is selected from the IPs stored in the existing design asset database with reference to the function classification database.    
   
   
       22 . The IP-based LSI design method according to  claim 21 , 
 using a design assets compatibility evaluation rule database that stores information for defining mutual compatibility between the IPs stored in the existing design asset database,    wherein compatibility of the IP selected for the LSI to be designed is evaluated with reference to the design assets compatibility evaluation rule database.    
   
   
       23 . The IP-based LSI design method according to  claim 21 , wherein 
 an IP having a similar function to that of an IP suitable for the LSI to be designed is selected from the IPs stored in the existing design asset database, and    the function of the selected IP is revised so as to be suitable for the LSI to be designed.    
   
   
       24 . An IP-based LSI design system comprising; 
 a means for generating architecture level design data from a system level function definition regarding an LSI to be designed;    a means for performing operation analysis of the LSI to be designed by using the generated architecture level design data and an operation pattern definition of the LSI to be designed; and    a means for generating a power control block in the architecture level design data based on operation analysis results.    
   
   
       25 . An IP-based LSI design method comprising the steps of: 
 generating architecture level design data from a system level function definition;    performing an operation analysis of the LSI to be designed by using the generated architecture level design data and an operation pattern definition of the LSI to be designed; and generating a power control block in the architecture level design data based on operation analysis results.