Real-time emulation method for ATM switching systems in broadband ISDN

This paper describes a real-time emulation method based on the use of commercial FPGAs, high-speed interconnect switch devices and software tools (gate array LSI to/from FPGA netlist migration and multi-FPGA partitioning tools) to emulate large scale high-speed communication switching system without the need for conventional specific wiring structures between FPGAs and timing control circuit insertion. This method is applied to line interface units (LUs) that have 20 MHz operation; we employ the LU board and emulation boards, both of which have hierarchical structures with small sub-boards. The proposed LU board structure has the advantage of utilizing a common LU board for rapid prototyping as well as developing cost effective, practical high-performance Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switching systems for broadband ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Networks). The results of multiple FPGA partitioning on the emulation board suggest that the proposed method will yield economic systems that are also practical.