Tutorial M-C: VLSI Embedded Systems Design
Speakers
- Serafín Olcoz: SIDSA, Madrid
- Isabel Hidalgo: SIDSA, Madrid
Audience
This tutorial is intended for ASIC designers, ESDA tool developers and
managers interested in system design issues. Only a basic knowledge of
VHDL, RISC processors and embedded software tools is required.
Abstract
This tutorial addresses the use of VHDL virtual-prototyping as an
effective basis for developing embedded electronic (hardware and
software) systems on silicon, following the OMI approach . VHDL
simulation is the platform on which a distributed environment for
debugging the hardware and the software system, that is running on the
VHDL prototype, is built. This environment supports the development of
the complete system from the different points of view corresponding to
the involved domains (software, system architecture, and VHDL design)
without any physical development. The use of this environment implies a
new ESDA methodology. Based on a case study (SPARC®-based
microcontroller), system and architectural characteristics as well as
requirements with respect to design technology will be identified and
new methods and tools will be discussed. The tutorial is designed to
provide a comprehensive overview of embedded systems, VLSI design based
on HDLs, and microprocessor-based systems on-chip design issues.
The tutorial starts with an overview of embedded systems, defining their
characteristics, design criteria, classification and applications,
paying special attention to components reusability, including licensing
and IPR issues.
Next, a presentation of VLSI design based on HDLs provides a
comprehensive ASIC design methodology based on a design flow to
translate HDL specifications into a prototyping system. This design flow
covers hardware-software co-simulation and the typical HDL synthesis
based ASIC design.
A microprocessor-based system on chip case study: This presentation
analyzes a SPARC®-based microcontroller design, employed methodology,
the place of hardware software co-simulation in the overall verification
methodology, and the benefits derived of this approach. This case study
is concluded with a demo of the co-simulation environment.
The techniques and methodologies taught will be neither tool- nor
vendor-specific.
OMI stands for Open Microprocessors Systems Initiative (http://www.omimo.be). This tutorial is a
result of the DOMINIC OMI-ESPRIT IV program
(http://www.omimo.be/scripts/dbml.exe?template=/_srproj2.dbm&Project_Number=22058).
Curricula Vitarum
Serafín Olcoz
Serafin Olcoz is the head of Design Technology Department at SIDSA S.A.
(former Design Technology Department of TGI), Spain. Dr. Olcoz has
participated very heavily in the development of VHDL 1993 and extensions
to that language. He has also been instrumental in numerous ESPRIT and
other European projects, especially in the areas of formal modeling and
design methodology.
Isabel Hidalgo
Isabel Hidalgo, graduated in Physics (University de Cantabria, 1993).
Currently she works for the Design Technology Department of SIDSA
(former Design Technology Department of TGI). Her work there is focused
on the use of VHDL, the SPARC architecture, SPARC+-based micro
controller design, and VLSI Embedded Systems design in general.
ifip@it.uc3m.es