The ability to optimize the verification process of embedded systems is helpful for small and medium-sized projects, but it also provides significant benefits to system-on-chip processes at larger OEMs as well. In this particular case, an international office printer manufacturer used the VAXEL EZ utility software package to help boost productivity on our Eclypse Z7 prototyping ecosystem.
Printers need an image processing SoC, which requires many tests using exceptionally large image data. This makes the slow simulation even slower—painfully slower. The project team desperately needed to find other options to alleviate this situation, and they were introduced to Digilent-VAXEL.
Prior to this solution, the team evaluated “emulators.” However, they immediately knew it was not the solution for two reasons: it cost too much, and it took too much time and effort to set up. The project team purchased a few sets of Digilent Eclypse Z7 boards and VAXEL EZ and immediately started working on design verifications.
During these verifications, the manufacturer noted two major benefits. First, the simulation was 50% faster than it had been before. Initially, the project allocated 24 weeks for design verification. but that timeframe was shortened to less than 12 weeks by using Eclypse Z7 and VAXEL EZ.
Second, a set of additional tests were conducted at the block level, resulting in the discovery of some critical design flaws. Prior to implementing VAXEL EZ, this specific set of tests was only carried out later in the project, after the team already had the engineering samples on the evaluation board. This discovery justified for the cost of the solution solely in the money saved from not having to create more engineering samples.
