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    大模型辅助的多FPGA通路时延探测工具设计与实现

    SegTracer: LLM-Assisted Design of a Latency-Probing IP for Multi-FPGA Prototyping Systems

    • 摘要: 大语言模型正逐步进入芯片与FPGA研发流程,但现有工作多集中于RTL生成、断言生成或局部调试,缺少结合真实工程闭环的系统性案例。本研究以多FPGA原型系统中的数据通路时延探测工具SegTracer为对象,研究人工主导、大模型辅助、验证驱动的研发方式在实际IP实现中的作用。围绕SegTracer的设计与落地,大模型被用于需求重构、方案比较、设计文档收敛、SpinalHDL实现、寄存器访问与验证脚本生成,以及局部调试中的错误排查;人工负责关键机制定义、文献核验、跨时钟域与握手语义处理、波形分析和实验归因。技术上,SegTracer采用独立探测包、包生成监控模块和统一时间戳模块协同工作,通过去程压栈、返程原位减法和端点集中统计,实现了不依赖全局时钟同步的分段时延测量与分布分析。仿真与FPGA上板实验表明,该工具能够在QSFP直连和PCIe软硬件协同场景下完成时延分解与尾部瓶颈定位。案例结果表明,大模型有助于提升设计收敛、脚本开发和联调验证效率,但在领域语义理解、跨时钟域处理、时序正确性和结果解释等关键环节仍需人工主导。

       

      Abstract: Large language models (LLM) are increasingly being incorporated into chip and FPGA development workflows. However, existing studies have mainly focused on RTL generation, assertion generation, or localized debugging, while systematic case studies covering end-to-end engineering workflows remain limited. Using SegTracer, a data-path latency probing tool for multi-FPGA prototyping systems, as a case study, this paper investigates the role of a human-led, LLM-assisted, verification-driven development paradigm in practical IP implementation. During the design and deployment of SegTracer, LLMs were used for requirements refinement, solution comparison, design document consolidation, SpinalHDL implementation, generation of register-access and verification scripts, and troubleshooting during localized debugging; human developers were responsible for key mechanism definition, literature verification, clock-domain-crossing and handshake-semantics handling, waveform analysis, and experimental interpretation. Technically, SegTracer employs independent probe packets together with a packet generation and monitoring module and a unified timestamp module. Through stack-based recording on the forward path, in-place subtraction on the return path, and centralized endpoint statistics, it achieves segmented latency measurement and distribution analysis without relying on global clock synchronization. Simulation and FPGA board-level experiments show that the tool can support latency decomposition and tail-bottleneck localization in both QSFP direct-link and PCIe hardware-software collaborative scenarios. The case study demonstrates that large language models can significantly improve design iteration, script development, and joint debugging and verification efficiency, while human leadership remains essential in key aspects such as domain-specific semantic understanding, clock-domain-crossing handling, timing correctness, and result interpretation.

       

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