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.

References

accellera.org/