Implementation of the ATI Flipper chip

The Nintendo GameCube/sup (TM)/ video game console system is designed to outpace all other such systems when released. Formerly known by the codename Dolphin, this system includes an IBM PowerPC(tm) processor and specialized hardware from ATI. This specialized hardware is embodied in ATI's Flipper chip, the centerpiece in the Dolphin design. Flipper functions as the graphics processor, audio processor, host controller, memory controller, and I/O processor of the Dolphin system. Such a complex chip requires a very robust design flow to get to functioning silicon in as little time as possible. Here we will describe that design flow, developed by ATI engineers to implement the Flipper design. The goal was to develop a flow to implement the best gaming hardware on a chip that needed to be as cost-effective as possible.