Lattice Semiconductor launched Lattice Propel, a software solution designed to accelerate development of novel applications based on low-power, small form-factor Lattice FPGAs. The design environment enables the easy assembly of components from a robust IP library that includes a RISC-V processor core and numerous peripherals.
In order to leverage the parallel processing capabilities of FPGAs in more complex systems, first-time FPGA developers want application design solutions that integrate all design software and IP required to develop emerging applications without a learning curve. Lattice Propel’s correct-by-construction development tools automate much of the design process to simplify overall system development. Lattice Propel combines system hardware and software design into one tool framework.
The design environment supports open standards like RISC-V, enabling customers to take advantage of the processor IP ecosystem without getting locked into proprietary technologies and standards. Combined with the reprogrammability of FPGAs, the Lattice Propel environment simplifies the upgrade of existing hardware and software to support emerging trends and standards such as Platform Firmware Resiliency.
The Lattice Propel GUI simplifies the design process with drag-and-drop IP blocks from the Lattice IP library, and a tool to automate the design layout to incorporate the added IP. For veteran developers, Propel also supports script-level editing for more granular design optimization or to quickly update existing designs to port them to future Lattice FPGA-powered systems.
Key components include the Lattice Propel Builder, a system IP integration environment supported by a complete set of GUI and command line tools. As of this announcement, the server currently offers eight processor and peripheral IP cores, including a RISC-V RV32I compliant processor core. All IP cores available through Lattice Propel Builder are compatible with the AMBA on-chip interconnect specification.
Lattice’s Propel SDK enables software development to begin before final system hardware is available, and includes industry-standard software development tools, software libraries, and development board support packages so developers can quickly and easily build, compile, analyze, and debug their application software.
For more information visit www.latticesemi.com/propel
