I’ve been on the executive committee for both DAC and ICCAD, and the same question keeps coming up: What can we do as a conference to create ties to the embedded software world?
This year, I decided that it was time to do something about it. After some probing, I realized the difficulty of the task. Seriously, how many software developers make it to DAC?

After long discussions with the DAC executive committee and several folks interested in seeing DAC more involved with embedded software development, an idea came together. Let’s focus on a joint interest: Virtual Platforms. Virtual Platforms (VPs) have emerged over the last few years as a cornerstone in SoC design validation and in embedded software development. Virtual platforms enable early software development and lead to fewer silicon re-spins and shorter time to market. Without them, software development will significantly lag, a big no no in today’s market.
The organization of the workshop was initially difficult. It seemed like pulling teeth trying to engage the right parties. However, Larry Lapides from Imperas stepped in and was instrumental in pulling the workshop together (Thanks Larry!). We posted a call for participations to the DAC mailing list, and received so many great submissions. Even after putting the program together, we keep getting requests to be squeezed in. Here are some of the major questions we hope the workshop will answer for you:
· How does software reuse play into the use of virtual platforms?
· Cycle accurate versus instruction accurate models: Which to use for what?
· Will processor-specific software development tools be needed in the future, or will the industry move to generic tool suites, similar to how EDA hardware evolved from foundry-owned to generic?
· What’s the status of virtual platform standards?
· What is the cost and ROI of creating virtual platforms?
· Why haven’t virtual platforms achieved broader acceptance to date?

Developers and users of VPs will have many insights to share –– so plan on attending. Don’t miss the panel because it will be a lively discussion. If you would like a certain issue raised by the panel, please drop me a line, and I will make sure that our moderator Michael Sanie from Maestro International will ask the question to our panelists:
· Jason Andrews from Cadence in Minneapolis, Minn.
· Jose Corleto of Qualcomm in San Diego, Calif.
· Simon Davidmann from Open Virtual Platforms of Thame, U.K.
· John Goodenough of ARM in San Jose, Calif.
· Ma`rius Montsn from GreenSocs.com of Barcelona, Spain

More information can be found at: www.dac.com/events/eventdetails.aspx?id=95-264.
See you at the workshop! Meanwhile, I will keep wondering if there is enough interest about creating and developing VPs among the DAC audience. Let’s wait and we will soon find out!