Coverification package supports PowerQUICC III

Mentor Graphics has released a new Seamless processor support package for the Freescale PowerQUICC III MPC8548E communications processor.

Mentor Graphics has released a new Seamless processor support package (PSP) for the Freescale PowerQUICC III MPC8548E communications processor containing a PowerPCR core.

The Seamless product and new PSP provide designers with a virtual platform on which to concurrently develop board-level hardware and software in systems powered by the MPC8548E.

This approach increases simulation throughput, thereby allowing designers to quickly validate that the system hardware and embedded software are functionally correct before prototypes are manufactured, thus reducing the risk of lengthy hardware design iterations.

"Seamless is a valuable tool for our customers".

"It enables them to create and exercise virtual hardware prototypes earlier in the design cycle, which leads to faster design closure and time to market", said Lakshmi Mandyam, PowerQUICC III Product Marketing Manager, Networking and Computing Systems Group, Freescale Semiconductor.

"We're seeing strong interest in the MPC8548E processor from our customers in the networking industry, and we are very pleased that Mentor Graphics is ready with a turnkey solution that extends the benefits of a leading co-verification environment to early adopters of one of our most advanced communications processors".

The MPC8548E is one of the latest members of Freescale families of PowerQUICC and PowerPC processors supported by the Seamless product, supplementing a range of existing PSPs including the MPC85xx, MPC82xx and MPC74xx processors.

With the Mentor Graphics Seamless coverification environment, designers can create simulation-based functional prototypes early in the design that can be used throughout the verification cycle.

The Seamless product is part of Mentor's Scalable Verification platform, a full suite of products that comprise a complete path from HDL simulation to emulation.

The MPC8548E is one of Freescale's latest next-generation communications processors based on the scalable e500 system-on-chip (SoC) platform and a PowerPC processor core.

It is designed to deliver gigahertz-plus communications processing performance and advanced features, including exceptional integration and high-speed connectivity required by enterprise networking, telecomms transmission and switching, 3G wireless infrastructure, storage, and high-end imaging markets.

The MPC8548E combines the powerful PowerPC processor core, enhanced peripherals, and high-speed interconnect technology to balance processor performance with I/O system throughput.

"As a leader in hardware/software verification solutions, Mentor Graphics, together with industry-leading CPU vendors like Freescale, can maximise the value we offer to our companies' mutual customers", said Serge Leef, General Manager of the SoC Verification Division at Mentor Graphics.

"With the Mentor/Freescale combination, hardware engineers get the processor performance they need for their networking and communication devices, and an efficient verification methodology to help them move product to market on time".

Seamless PSPs for the MPC85xx, MPC82xx and MPC74xx devices are currently available from Mentor Graphics.

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