Moving from RTL- to Handshake-based IP-Design: A RISC-V Case Study

TY – GEN

T1 – Moving from RTL- to Handshake-based IP-Design

T2 – 14th Mediterranean Conference on Embedded Computing, MECO 2025

AU – Simson, Natalie

AU – Sinha, Paritosh Kumar

AU – Ecker, Wolfgang

N1 – Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 IEEE.

PY – 2025

Y1 – 2025

N2 – The growing complexity of integrated systems demands the development of new and powerful design tools and methodologies. This paper proposes a novel design methodology for IP (Intellectual Property) design called Handshake-based Design, which addresses the substantial gap between the Register Transfer Level (RTL) and the algorithmic or IP layer. By decoupling separate building blocks using handshakes for communication and synchronization, this approach enables a modular and flexible design paradigm, where the emphasis lies on the functional behavior of components and the exchange of data between them, rather than on the precise timing and involved signals of these interactions. The methodology is based on two main concepts: interfaces and handshakes. Interfaces encapsulate multiple ports, providing a clear definition of signals and their parameterization, while handshakes are a simple yet powerful mechanism to facilitate data exchange between modules. Together, they allow designers to focus on the component functionality and data flow as well as synchronization separately by stepping away from single-cycle-thinking and bit signals. Aspects of the application of Handshake-based Design are demonstrated through the implementation of a RISC-V Processor, showcasing the method’s ability to facilitate a more structured and simplified design process.

AB – The growing complexity of integrated systems demands the development of new and powerful design tools and methodologies. This paper proposes a novel design methodology for IP (Intellectual Property) design called Handshake-based Design, which addresses the substantial gap between the Register Transfer Level (RTL) and the algorithmic or IP layer. By decoupling separate building blocks using handshakes for communication and synchronization, this approach enables a modular and flexible design paradigm, where the emphasis lies on the functional behavior of components and the exchange of data between them, rather than on the precise timing and involved signals of these interactions. The methodology is based on two main concepts: interfaces and handshakes. Interfaces encapsulate multiple ports, providing a clear definition of signals and their parameterization, while handshakes are a simple yet powerful mechanism to facilitate data exchange between modules. Together, they allow designers to focus on the component functionality and data flow as well as synchronization separately by stepping away from single-cycle-thinking and bit signals. Aspects of the application of Handshake-based Design are demonstrated through the implementation of a RISC-V Processor, showcasing the method’s ability to facilitate a more structured and simplified design process.

KW – Handshakes

KW – Interfaces

KW – IP-Design

KW – RTL

UR – www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105010465008

U2 – 10.1109/MECO66322.2025.11049243

DO – 10.1109/MECO66322.2025.11049243

M3 – Conference contribution

AN – SCOPUS:105010465008

T3 – 2025 14th Mediterranean Conference on Embedded Computing, MECO 2025 – Proceedings

BT – 2025 14th Mediterranean Conference on Embedded Computing, MECO 2025 – Proceedings

A2 – Stojanovic, Radovan

A2 – Jozwiak, Lech

A2 – Lutovac, Budimir

PB – Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.

Y2 – 10 June 2025 through 14 June 2025

ER –