Hybrid multi System-on-Chip architecture: A rapid development design for high-flexibility system

In this paper, we propose a System-on-Chip (SoC) architecture that provides a high-flexibility system in a rapid development time. It is called Hybrid Multi SoC (H-MSoC). H-MSoC provides flexible SoC architecture that is easy to configure for physical and application layers development. These two aspects (physical and application layers) are dynamically designed and modified, hence it is important to consider and optimize their design methodology to support rapid SoC development. Physical layer development refers to Intellectual Property (IP) cores or hardware developments, while application layer development refers to user and interface application developments. H-MSoC is established from multi-SoC architectures which each SoC is localized and specified based on its development layer, either physical or application (hybrid). Physical layer development SoC is called Physical-SoC (Phy-SoC) and application layer development SoC is called Application-SoC (App-SoC). Phy-SoC and App-SoC are connected to each other via ethernet. Ethernet is chosen because of its flexibility, high-speed, and easiness for configuration. For prototyping purpose, we used LEON3 SoC as Phy-SoC and ZYNQ-7000 SoC as App-SoC. Proposed design has been proved in real time testing and achieved good performance.