Abstract: A method, system and unit for controlling the configuration of a transmission path coupling a first unit and a second unit is disclosed. The first unit and the second unit are configurable to support the transfer of information items over the transmission path in time-slots of successive transmission frames in accordance with a plurality of modes, each of the plurality of modes allocating differing numbers of time-slots within each frame to different types of information items.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided with diagnostic circuitry, such as serial scan chains or debug bus access circuits, with which communication is established using an interface circuit coupled with a bi-directional serial link to an external diagnostic device. The bi-directional serial link carries both data and control signals.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a testbench for a representation of a device to be incorporated in a data processing apparatus is provided. The representation of the device is configurable based on configuration data specifying predetermined attributes of one or more components of the data processing apparatus with which that device is to be coupled, and the testbench provides a test environment that represents those one or more components. The method comprises the steps of receiving the configuration data used to configure the representation of the device, and generating the testbench with reference to the configuration data and a first set of templates defining the test environment. By this approach, a matching testbench can automatically be generated for any particular instantiation of the configurable representation of the device to enable thorough verification testing of that instantiation of the device to be performed.