Moving from RTL- to Handshake-based IP-Design: A RISC-V Case Study
Natalie Simson, Paritosh Kumar Sinha, Wolfgang Ecker · 2025
The growing complexity of integrated systems demands the development of new and powerful design tools and methodologies. This paper proposes a novel design methodology for IP (Intellectual Property) design called Handshake-based Design, which addresses the substantial gap between the Register Transfer Level (RTL) and the algorithmic or IP layer. By decoupling separate building blocks using handshakes for communication and synchronization, this approach enables a modular and flexible design paradigm, where the emphasis lies on the functional behavior of components and the exchange of data between them, rather than on the precise timing and involved signals of these interactions. The methodology is based on two main concepts: interfaces and handshakes. Interfaces encapsulate multiple ports, providing a clear definition of signals and their parameterization, while handshakes are a simple yet powerful mechanism to facilitate data exchange between modules. Together, they allow designers to focus on the component functionality and data flow as well as synchronization separately by stepping away from single-cycle-thinking and bit signals. Aspects of the application of Handshake-based Design are demonstrated through the implementation of a RISC-V Processor, showcasing the method’s ability to facilitate a more structured and simplified design process.