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Efinix

»We were able to exceed our own expectations.«

15. Juni 2022, 10:33 Uhr | Iris Stroh

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Fortsetzung des Artikels von Teil 3

Hard- versus Soft-IP

Does this mean that RISC-V as a hard IP is quite conceivable?

An implementation as hard IP is always conceivable. You have to find an attractive and universal configuration so that the advantage of a hard-wired implementation over the soft implementation really comes into play. How an IP is implemented always depends on factors such as flexibility on the one hand and higher efficiency on the other. Our Quantum architecture doesn't make it any easier for us here, as implementing a soft IP in this architecture is quite efficient, making it much more difficult to break even on a hard IP. However, if we see more advantages with a hard implementation, we will certainly consider this step, but we are taking this one step at a time and deciding on a case-by-case basis what is the best path for Efinix.

Are other hard IP cores also conceivable?

We also implement high-speed protocols such as PCI Express as hard IP, as well as fast memory controllers or fast interfaces such as MIPI-DPHY with 2.5 Gbps. Herer there are real advantages in a hard implementation compared to the soft IP solution.

While hard IP limits flexibility, it also frees up resources and reduces power consumption. Where do the limits lie in your view?

This question is easier to answer if you have FPGA structures that consume a lot of power and area. In our case, this question is a little more difficult to answer because our Quantum architecture only requires about 50 percent of the area as well as the power consumption of the two market leaders. Therefore, it will always be a "case by case" decision as to when we prefer hard or soft IP. We don't have a fixed formula here. The status of the IP core is also a decision point, i.e. whether a stable specification is available or whether further updates to the specification are to be expected. For IP cores where the specification is still new and updates are to be expected, support as soft IP offers clear advantages, because then specification changes can be easily tracked.