What is the IP core?

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IP core is a complex functional block of electronic circuits whose use is licensed by other companies by the original designer. It is generally part of a complete processor or other very complex integrated circuit. The design was usually proven in a fully tested product before it is licensed. Electronic engineers use IP cores to quickly implement components of unique logical and chip designs. The memory controller, three -dimensional graphics unit or even the entire processor can be the IP core. The basic design is often provided in the Hardware description language, analogous to the computer software program. Logical and test formulas can also be provided as well as signal specification. Usually any necessary software, as well as notes on the design and documentation of known errors, are included.

Purchase with IP core often involves the ability to change it as needed for use in the buyer design. Modifiable cores are also known as soft cores because they are afterSocked in the registry transmission language (RTL) or as a logical network. IP kernels are instead provided in a low level layout format. This is called hard cores because they cannot be significantly modified by licenses. Many mixed signal structures and analog patterns are provided as hard cores to ensure a specific timing of the signal and physical distribution.

Some companies build their entire business on designing and licening IP kernels. For example, ARM Holdings processors appear in many mobile phones, global system devices and personal digital assists. In fact, the company does not produce any chips; Simply licensing them as IP cores to many other chips manufacturers. For other companies, IP kernels are the final average by extracting profits from designs that no longer use in their own products. IP core is also known as the core of the mental hairTown, because the owner can license copyright and patents of basic design to others.

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example of the IP core is the PowerPC® processor designed by a group of semiconductor manufacturers in 1991. This chip was strongly used as a separate processor in Apple® Incorportosh® Systems until 2005. Rather than leaving architecture, the owners licensed it as the core of IP many other companies for use in their designs.