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SystemC(TM) Plus Methodology

 
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SystemC-based library approach for data-intensive applications


DCIS 2002
Authors: M. Bombana, Siemens Mobile Communication,
L. Pomante, CEFRIEL
Abstract :

This paper proposes an Abstract Data Type approach, based on SystemC v.2.0. The goal is to improve abstraction level and reuse possibility in the design of complex applications integrating HW components at behavioural level and SW modules.
In particular, the paper shows how is possible coding complex algorithms in both floating-point and fixed-point representation avoiding the need of changing the code.

 


SystemC-Plus complex data types for telecom applications

FDL 2002
Authors: Massimo Bombana, Siemens Information and Communication Networks SpA, William Fornaciari, Dipartimento di Elettronica e Informazione, Politecnico di Milano,
Luigi Pomante, CEFRIEL
Abstract :

The need of improving abstraction and reuse for HW and system design, suggests to experiment the use of SystemC and C++ in the implementation of a design flow that easily integrates HW components at behavioural level and SW modules. In order to establish a good practice in this domain, it is necessary to solve methodological aspects, like the definition of the HW design flow and the preparation of design guidelines able to do provide reliable results.
In this paper, we focus on two key elements, i.e. the description of our adopted design flow and the definition of a telecom-oriented library developed in SystemC methodology. Inside such library, abstract data types for ATM and Internet domains are defined. The focus is on advantages and drawbacks derived from the application of the object-oriented methodology developed during the ODETTE IST Project.

 


SystemC spcification of telecom PCI-compatible interface

DATE 2002
Authors: Francesco Bruschi, Fabrizio Ferrandi, Donatella Sciuto, Politecnico di Milano,
Massimo Bombana, Siemens ICN Italy
Abstarct:

The need of improving abstraction and reuse for HW and system design, suggests to experiment the use of SystemC in the implementation of a design flow that easily integrates HW components at behavioural level and SW.
In this paper we briefly describe the functional requirements of a customised PCI bus interface for base station controllers, and then go into the details of its SystemC implementation. A comparison with the VHDL specification at RTL level is discussed. Focus is on advantages and drawbacks derived from this working experience.

 


Object-oriented high level modelling of InfiniBand to PCI-X bridge

FDL 2002
Authors: Oded Lachish and Avi Ziv, Verification Technologies Department, IBM Haifa Research Laboratory
Abstract:

The rapid increase in the complexity of modern ASICs raises the need for an increase in the abstraction level used to design these chips. While there exist many offerings of tools and languages designed to raise the level of abstraction in ASIC design, their use in current design is very limited.
This is primarily due to the lack of a proven design methodology for high-level modeling. We describe a modeling experiment that defines a skeleton of an object-oriented high-level modeling methodology. In the experiment, we built a high-level model for an InfiniBand to PCI-X bridge using the SystemC class library. Our goal was to examine the initial modeling point and to understand the modeling constructs needed for a model at that level of abstraction. We also wanted to determine the design paradigm that best captures the abstraction level we chose, and the design flow from the initial model to a synthesizable model.

 


Object-oriented high level synthesis based on SystemC

ICECS 2001
Authors: Eike Grimpe, OFFIS Research Institute,
Frank Oppenheimer, University of Oldenburg
Abstract:

The introduction of object-oriented modelling techniques into the development of hardware seems to open promising way for mastering the increasing complexity of today 's hardware systems. Furthermore it provides the possibility of transferring well known and approved object-oriented modelling techniques from the software development to the hardware development. Since there is major difference between the nature of software and the nature of hardware the direct adaptation of common object-oriented programming languages to describing hardware is not possible in general. SystemC is C++ class library and methodology that introduces some of the missing typical hardware features in C/C++. This paper describes an extended SystemC based methodology and synthesis techniques allowing to use object oriented concepts like classes, polymorphism and inheritance for the description of synthesisable hardware models.

 


Aspects of object-oriented hardware modelling with SystemCPlus

FDL 2001
Authors: Eike Grimpe and Frank Oppenheimer, OFFIS Research Institute
Abstract:

In this paper we present an approach, how hardware can be modelled object oriented by using SystemC Plus methodology and SystemC including additional C++ class library and an extended design methodology. It allows to use object-oriented techniques and constructs for modelling hardware, which can then be automatically synthesized by a special synthesis tool that is actually under development for this purpose. For a deeper understanding of the presented work the reader should have basic understanding of C++ and SystemC.

 


Cross-Product Functional Coverage Measurement with Temporal Properties-based Assertions, 2003

Authors: Avi Ziv, IBM Research Lab in Haifa, Haifa University, Israel
Abstract :

Temporal specification languages provide an efficient way to express events comprised of complex temporal scenarios. Assertions based on these languages are used to detect violations of the specification and monitor coverage events. In this paper, we propose to extend temporal specification languages, and assertions based on these languages with auxiliary variables. We attach these variables to sub-expressions and assign them values when the sub-expressions are evaluated. The use of auxiliary variables enables the implementation of large cross-product coverage models, using small number of assertions. This simplifies the definition and implementation of coverage models and helps reduce the simulation overhead caused by assertions, thus increasing the efficiency of simulation resources.

 


SystemC Object-Oriented Extensions and Synthesis Features

FDL 2002
Authors: E. Grimpe, B. Timmermann, T. Fandrey, R. Biniasch, F. Oppenheimer,
OFFIS Research Institute
Abstract:

In this paper we present an overview about the object-oriented hardware description language based on SystemC. First we discuss the chances lying in the application of object-oriented techniques for designing hardware. Afterwards we give an introduction into basic features of the SystemC Plus Methodology and depict their use by means of some descriptive examples. And finally we will give a brief overview of the synthesis framework that is necessary to make hardware starting from object-oriented models.

 


Using Temporal Checkers for Functional Coverage, MTV 2002

Authors: Avi Ziv, IBM Research Lab in Haifa, Haifa University, Israel
Abstract :

Checkers based on temporal logic expressions provide efficient way to express and detect events that comprise of complex temporal scenarios. These checkers are used to detect violations of the specification and monitor coverage events. In this paper, we extend temporal logic checkers with auxiliary variables. These variables are attached to sub expressions and are assigned values when the sub expressions are evaluated. The use of auxiliary variables enables implementation of large cross-product coverage models with small number of checkers. This helps to reduce the simulation overhead caused by checkers, thus increasing the efficiency of simulation resources.

 


Objektorientierte Hardwarebeschreibung und -synthese aufbauend auf SystemC

Authors: Eike Grimpe and Frank Oppenheimer, OFFIS Research Institute

 


Synthesis of digital circuits from object-oriented specifications - dissertation

Author: M. Radetzki