Open Core Protocol
The Open Core Protocol (OCP) is a protocol for on-chip subsystem communications. It is an openly licensed, core-centric protocol and defines a bus-independent, configurable interface. OCP International Partnership (OCP-IP) produces OCP specifications. OCP data transfer models range from simple request-grant handshaking through pipelined request-response to complex out-of-order operations.
Legacy IP cores can be adapted to OCP, while new implementations may take advantage of advanced features: designers select only those features and signals encompassing a core’s specific data, control and test configuration.
Advantages
- Eliminates the ongoing task of interface protocol (re)definition, verification, documentation and support
- Readily adapts to support new core capabilities
- Test bench portability simplifies (re)verification
- Limits test suite modifications for core enhancements
- Interfaces to any bus structure or on-chip network
- Delivers industry-standard flexibility and reuse
- Point-to-point protocol can directly interface two cores
Disadvantages
- Neither Altera nor Xilinx, the two largest FPGA vendors, supports this protocol.