A rapid PCI NoC prototyping platform with VCI interfaces methodology

System-on-chip (SoC) designs provide integrated solutions to challenging design problems in the telecommunications, multimedia, and consumer electronics domains. Much of the progress in these fields hinges on the designers ability to conceive complex electronic engines under strong time-to market pressure. Success will rely on using appropriate design and process technologies, as well as on the ability to interconnect existing components including processors, controllers, and memory array reliably, in plug and play fashion. This paper presents a prototyping methodology and flexible hardware platform developed to facilitate rapid prototyping of such communication systems.