Fast Models

Software development cycles for embedded systems can be delayed waiting for expensive development hardware. Remaining competitive in today’s market requires fast turn-around of fully-featured software that has been developed on a fully validated system.

Solution: Early access to a Virtual Platform (VP) for accelerated software development

With ARM Fast Models, software development can begin prior to silicon availability. These extensively validated programmer’s view models provide access to ARM-based systems suitable for early software development. Used in conjunction with ARM Profiler and RealView Debugger, the Fast Models can help developers debug, analyze, and optimize their applications throughout the development cycle.

Features of ARM Fast Models

• Run at speeds comparable to actual hardware for fast software execution and debug
• Operating system-agnostic: Boot any OS such as Linux, Windows Embedded CE, and Symbian OS in seconds
• Functionally accurate ARM Instruction Set Simulator, fully validated against ARM CPU designs
• Simulation of advanced ARM technologies such as TrustZone™, NEON and VFP
• Modelling of system peripherals such as Ethernet, LCD, keyboard and mouse

Model Availability

Fast Models are available for the following ARM Processors:

• ARM926EJ-S, ARM968E-S, ARM1136JF-S, ARM1176JZF-S
• Cortex-M3, Cortex-M4, Cortex-R4
• Cortex-A5, Cortex-A8, Cortex-A9

Design of System Models

The System Canvas for Fast Models is a block diagram editor being used to create or customize single as well as multi-core systems. The System Generator for Fast Models is used to generate a virtual platform or export a subsystem to SystemC using TLM-2.0 compliant interfaces for inter-component communication. With a wide range of parameters for each component and the ability to extend the model portfolio with customer components, systems can be modelled such that they directly match the targeted System on Chip.
These virtual platforms can then be conveniently distributed to software developers for early software development without the need for expensive development boards.