2021 - ongoing

Axign - Audio chips for consumer electronics

Class D audio chips, growing in complexity. QBayLogic rebuilt Axign’s verification flow with CI and simulation tooling so they could catch problems early instead of late.

Qbaylogic Bittide

The challenge

Axign

  • Axign builds Class D audio amplifier chips for consumer electronics.
  • As their designs grew more complex, their development and testing process couldn’t keep pace.
  • They needed RTL engineering help and, more importantly, a way of working that made verification fast and dependable instead of a bottleneck.
Fpga Qbaylogic (2)

The approach

  • We rebuilt the testing process around continuous integration and software-based testing, turning ad-hoc verification into a streamlined, repeatable flow.
  • Communication protocols are where a lot of complexity hides, so we built simulator abstractions that let engineers drive components in simulation without wrestling with protocol-specific detail every time.
Fpga Project

The deliverables

Configurable Cocotb drivers for JTAG, AHB, (Q)SPI, and I2S, plus a dependable GitLab and GitLab CI workflow, gave Axign accurate, rapid verification they could trust.

We also upstreamed patches for the interaction between Cocotb, VPI, and Xcelium, so the improvements outlast the engagement.

 

The shift: Axign moved from solving problems late to preventing them early.

Qbl 3047hr

More information?

Martijn Bastiaan

Call me on +31 (0)6 2186 6052

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Why QBayLogic?

At QBayLogic, we embrace the integration of software and digital engineering, recognizing their similarities rather than their differences. Axign’s pursuit of a combined software-hardware testing methodology aligned perfectly with our expertise, making us the ideal partner for this project.

Not only did we facilitate Axign’s transition to a more efficient and sustainable workflow, but we also contributed to the development of next-generation audio chips. This project exemplifies our commitment to driving innovation by combining the strengths of software engineering and digital circuit design.

Applications where the applied expertise would also fit:

  • Innovation partner: Paving the way for integrated innovations.
  • Fast and reliable verification: Prevent problems rather than solving them.
  • Protocol toolbox: digital IC communication on a high level.
  • Future-proofing: Keeping up with growing complex digital designs
  • Effective collaboration: A reliable workflow maintains engineering quality.