[oc] I'm laughing so much its hurts,

["Paul McFeeters" <paul.mcfeeters@ntlworld.com>]

Peekay,

To paraphrase one of the major players in C to FPGA tools market in a recent
email to me (won't say who/which company as didn't ask his permission):

"Our company owns a landmark patent on synthesizing C/C++ into HDL. We intend 
on defending it. Most vendors have evaluated the patent and have determined 
that it is very difficult to synthesize or translate C/C++ into HDL without 
stepping on it."

Some cheeky monkey wanted his new C to Verilog translator to be compatible
with their particular brand of C so asked them if he could use it in his
program hence the reply (basically a NO). Guess if its all wrapped up tight
then C/C++ to Netlist is my new eventual goal.

So even given that SystemC is true OpenSource if you try to sell any program
that does C to HDL it will be sued (apparently this is scary to the Americans
whereas the British think sue is just a girl's name ;-). Good job then that 
I "officially" have no assets whatsoever (for the obvious tax reasons)? Go on 
take everything I have. lol

Paul
"Laughter is the best medicine of all"


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-cores@opencores.org [mailto:owner-cores@opencores.org]On
> Behalf Of Peekay Chan
> Sent: 13 December 2001 22:39
> To: cores@opencores.org
> Subject: RE: [oc] C to HDL? Didn't realise the situation was that bad
> 
> 
> Hi Paul,
> 
> I am definitely no expert in SystemC.  Though SystemC is a true OpenSource
> language and has been adopted by a number of companies.  You can simply
> register on the web site and download the source codes and the user manual.
> Once you download that, you can write your codes and run the simulation with
> the build in simulation kernel.
> 
> The membership fee you saw is for joining the OpenSystemC Initiative to
> obtain the benefits:
> **************************************************
> Benefits of Individual and Corporate Membership
> 
> Influence the direction and development of SystemC
> Participate and vote in SystemC technical working groups
> Vote for the OSCI Board and in other organizational matters
> Receive updates on activities of all working groups
> Access early versions of OSCI specifications
> **************************************************
> 
> There is a very active user forum which you can join after registering as a
> user.
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> Peekay
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-cores@opencores.org [mailto:owner-cores@opencores.org]On
> Behalf Of Paul McFeeters
> Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2001 12:14 PM
> To: cores@opencores.org
> Subject: [oc] C to HDL? Didn't realise the situation was that bad
> 
> 
> Hi,
> 
> gotta laugh egh? You would think that more people using C/C++ to program
> FPGAs would be welcomed?
> I can only find 3 C to VHDL programs on the net (if you know of more please
> tell me), the prices
> are as follows:
> 
> Celoxica limited, $25,000 every year
> 
> CLevelDesign, $95,000 one off payment	(actually C++)
> 
> Adelante Technologies, no sign of prices on their website but might have to
> sit down to hear it?
> 
> 
> I looked at www.systemc.org, supposed to be an organisation to promote the
> widespread adoption
> of SystemC being used to program hardware. Great I thought, like minded
> people, then I saw their
> prices!
> 
> Individual Members - $2,000 USD
> Corporate Members - $50,000 USD
> 
> If they think I am going to pay them $2,000 a year just to join their little
> website they can take
> a long running jump off a short cliff. I was going to include support for
> SystemC in my program but
> if I have to pay $2,000 to even be a member of SystemC they can forget about
> it. I can't afford to
> join their private club.
> 
> On the plus side my own translator is going great guns. Finished the first
> section in 2 days, had
> originally expected 2 weeks but having a lull in work at moment so more
> spare time to invest. Should
> have demonstration executable hopefully by start of the new year. I had
> forgotten how much fun it is
> to write compilers, like a kid with a new toy now. ;-)
> 
> Paul McFeeters
> Self appointed C for FPGA champion (well foot soldier anyway)
> 
> 
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