How to create a multi-socket with protocol of AXI4?

[ai.asic]

Hey, guys

I found an example of AXI4 with TLM2 which only adapt to single socket. Now I wonder if I can use multi_passthrough_initiator_socket and multi_passthrough_target_socket to build AXI4 noc. 

And now I am stuck by the code. I really need your help.

Best wishes.

[Eyck]

It depends on what level of abstraction you want to use to model AXI4. For LT level multi-socket should be ok. But to model at AT level you are better off using an sc_vector of sockets as each socket has its own timing and state.

But I'm wondering: why would you want to use multi passthrough sockets? What gainusing them would you expect?

[ai.asic]

@Eyck Thank you for your answer. I want to model at AT level. The reason why I want to use multi sockets is I found it is convinient to build crossbar topo.

 

[Eyck]

To your orginal question: yes, you can use multi-passthrough sockets to model a NoC. You need to implement the AT protocol (depending on the socket id) and bind it to the sockets, there is no difference. There is one drawback you might encounter: if you need to hierarchically bind the sockets of your NoC and split the connections this will not be possible.This is because multi_passthrough_target_socket does not bind to tlm::target_socket, only to tlm::initialtor_socket.

Therefore my suggestion to use a sc_vector of TLM sockets...

[ai.asic]

It seems that you're right. I'm appriciate to have your suggustion of using sc_vector of TLM sockets to imple a NoC.

How can I approch with sc_vector instead of multi_socket. Is there any sample of NoC?

[Eyck]

Not of a NoC but a router for LT traffic: https://github.com/Minres/SystemC-Components/blob/develop/src/components/scc/router.h

Besides tlm::scc::initiator_mixin<tlm::tlm_initiator_socket<BUSWIDTH>> (and respective target socket) you might use tlm_utils::simple_initiator_socket<...> which work similar.