Multi-Channel Direct Memory Access Controller IP Core

This DMA4 IP core implements a configurable, multi-channel, direct memory access controller for the 32-bit wide AHB bus. It conforms to the Advanced Microcontroller Bus Architecture 2.0 (AMBA) specification.

The DMA4 controller contains useful features such as incrementing and non-incrementing addressing, linked list operation, and interrupt control to alert the processor to the DMA's status.

Non-incrementing addressing is useful for transferring data to and from peripherals with FIFOs or a single data port. Incrementing addressing is useful for transferring data to and from memories or peripherals containing memory. Linked list support is useful for non-contiguous memory transfer operations.

The DMA4 controller acts as a bus master device that controls data block transfers from a source memory or peripheral to a destination memory or peripheral,. The DMA Channel Arbiter determines which DMA Channel has access to the external AHB Master Bus. A round-robin algorithm is implemented in which each active channel has equal priority.


Applications

The DMA4 controller is suitable for a variety of applications requiring data transfers without the use of a processor, such as: 

      •   Microprocessor subsystems (specifically AMBA 2.0 AHB systems)
      •   Display systems
      •   USB, Ethernet, and Serial Communications
      •   Encryption/Decryption systems
      •   Data processing


Support

The core as delivered is warranted against defects for ninety days from purchase. Thirty days of phone and email technical support are included, starting with the first interaction. Additional maintenance and support options are available; contact CAST Sales.


Verification

The core has been verified through extensive simulation and system level prototyping using ARM based systems. It has also been successfully embedded in several products.


Deliverables

The core is available in ASIC (synthesizable Verilog) or FPGA (netlist) forms, and includes everything required for successful implementation:

      •   AMBA Bus Functional Model (Verilog)
      •   Sophisticated self-checking Testbench (Verilog)
      •   Simulation script, vectors, expected results, and comparison utility;
      •   Synthesis script or place and route script
      •   Comprehensive user documentation, including detailed specifications, software guide,  and a system 
          integration guide