CPU Tech can perform all phases of your system development (full turn key) or support your in-house efforts during only the specific stages you choose (development support).
Our unique system development process includes the following architectural and engineering phases:
Initial Architecture / Trade Study
The Initial Architecture / Trade Study provides critical analysis of project requirements to determine system functionality, resource requirements, and interfaces. Any missing information necessary to complete the design analysis and design entry is identified. Based on the requirements analysis, an initial estimate of the system partitioning is completed. Course grain tradeoffs of size, weight, power, performance, and cost are performed. A clock-accurate virtual model of the existing system is created which ca be used as a reference baseline throughout the development in the following ways:
- Analysis of the original system
- Verification of the requirements
- Verification of customer supplied tests and vector sets, and
- Validation of the verification test suites, which will be used to verify the new design
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System Architecture Modeling
System Architecture Modeling ensures that the overall architecture of the system meets performance specifications and interface requirements. A behavioral model of the system is generated using a combination of the “C” language and CPU Tech’s HDL language. The model serves as an evaluation vehicle and measuring stick regarding relative performance. Fine grain tradeoffs can be performed using this model to determine the final architecture of the system.
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Design Implementation
CPU Tech’s Design Implementation phase includes:
- The creation of virtual models of the system to the level of accuracy needed to generate the hardware design. These models are capable of executing the application software of the system.
- Development of a verification test suite to validate the functionality at various levels of partitioning, from individual boards to the complete system. CPU Tech’s AutoBVTTM tool is used to automatically generate verification tests based on the behavioral model of the system. The verification tests are generated to test all critical aspects of system operation. The tests are used to validate the existing system. In cases where the original system contains design defects, or bugs, the verification tests are used to isolate and determine the nature of the defect. An errata list is generated on the existing system, which often needs to be replicated in the new design in order to maintain compatibility. Verification tests are designed to be run against the original system virtual model and hardware, as well as the new design and hardware. These verification test suites can be run on the original system hardware, either at the board level or system level.
- Automatic regression testing of the design.
- Fault detection in the new system using Power On Self Tests (POST) and chip-level BIST.
- Generation of the new design using CPU Tech’s Auto Design tool. Portions of the design are also entered using CDL, CPU Tech’s high level hardware design language.
- When all boards have been entered into the CDL, a complete system model is created by generating a top-level design file that includes each of the boards hierarchically. In addition to the hardware design, the operating environment is developed to support the application software for the system. Compilers, linkers, assemblers, RTOS, drivers, etc., are developed as necessary by CPU Tech.
- In order to facilitate software design concurrently with the hardware design, co-development environments are provided to allow software engineers to develop on a virtual model of the hardware so the interaction between the two can be observed long before the actual hardware design is available.
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Behavioral Verification
The entire system design is validated virtually using CPU Tech’s SystemLab simulation environment and verification test suites during the Behavioral Verification phase. Causes are identified when test failures occur, allowing the design to be modified. The entire verification suite is performed on the updated design again until all available tests pass. Validation happens concurrently with the design activity.
One or more boards are designed for the purpose of further verifying compatibility and performance of the existing system and to help resolve schematic errors or discrepancies. This task includes architecture, design, fabrication, assembly and debug of the brass-board prototypes.
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Physical Implementation
The development process continues with the transition from design to physical prototype. To begin this phase, hardware design language design files are synthesized into a gate level design. Target devices for the logic are identified, and gate level simulations and static timing analysis are performed to verify that the implementation meets the design goals for performance. Device selections for memories and other discrete devices are made.
Every effort is made to make the prototypes form, fit, and function compatible with the final design. Prototypes undergo initial test and evaluation at CPU Tech facilities. This test and evaluation is performed using a mixture of existing tools and equipment with test boards developed specifically for the unit. CPU Tech then validates the function of the prototype boards using vectors generated from the simulations of the system. Additional verification of prototypes is performed in customer labs if available.
After the early prototypes are tested and the design is updated, pre-production prototypes are fabricated. The goal when producing these prototypes is to be as close to the final production configuration as possible. Pre-production prototypes undergo complete functional verification testing and are used in the environmental / EMI qualification tests for the system. Several of the pre-production prototypes are typically delivered to customers for system validation and/or certification.
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Productization / Commercialization
CPU Tech ensures the successful productization / commercialization of the design through qualification testing and pre-production services. Using a qualification test plan mutually agreed upon with our customers, we confirm the equivalency and performance of the system. The qualification plan includes hardware acceptance testing, software testing, environmental testing, flight-testing or other testing applicable to the design. The pre-production phase consists of a ramp-up phase that includes the transfer of the prototype test environment to a contract equipment manufacturer (CEM). In addition, in-circuit and functional test fixtures are developed and validated with CPU Tech and CEM engineers working together. Initial ramp components may also be procured during this time. The CEM builds pre-production units that are validated and signed-off by CPU Tech.
CPU Tech generates design documentation for the new production units that include functional specifications, schematics, assembly drawings, component specifications, and test procedures.
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