Debuggable opaque IP

摘要

Partially opaque intellectual property (IP) includes source code providing the IP functionality. Meta-comments (pragmas or attributes) are provided with the source code to enable visibility of one or more nodes in the IP. Aliasing of the visibility-enabled nodes may also be provided for using meta-comments in the IP source code. The visibility-enabled nodes may be used by system designers in debugging a system design in either a software simulation environment and/or in debugging of a hardware device implementing the partially opaque IP.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving, at a processor, instructions for implementing, on a hardware device, an intellectual property (IP) block, the IP block including source code and a plurality of internal circuit nodes, the IP block being encrypted or otherwise opaque such that at least a portion of the plurality of internal nodes are not normally visible, the source code including embedded attributes of at least one internal circuit node of the portion of internal circuit nodes, wherein the attributes enable providing a visualization of the at least one internal circuit node to a user performing simulation or debugging of the hardware device; and implementing, by using a processor, the IP block on the hardware device, wherein one or both of the instructions and the attributes are encrypted.