Analysis of SystemC design language

Matjaž Levstik (2011) Analysis of SystemC design language. EngD thesis.

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Abstract

The focus of the diploma thesis is set on analysing SystemC language which is used in design of systems at higher levels of abstraction. Procedures for hardware and software co-designing are described; the advantages and requirements of such a design are listed, along with some language examples used in designing the systems at different levels of abstraction. With higher levels of abstraction we use higher-level design tools and languages which interpret the system behaviour using algorithms and translating them into executable software model of hardware. The core of the thesis represents the description of SystemC language and reasons for its wise use. At first we get acquainted with the installation and operation processes of the SystemC code compiler. In the following segment we turn to the description of the SystemC classes that are necessary for hardware design. They allow simultaneous processes execution of a model, hierarchy, communications management and contain data types needed for hardware design. The most important features of the SystemC architecture are summarized, i.e. modules, methods, data types, events, sensitivities, ports, interfaces and channels. The SystemC simulation kernel, its phases and functionality are also presented. In the case of XOR gate, the use of basic building blocks of the language, hierarchy and functionality is demonstrated. In the last chapter, the design of a 4-bit adder model on the higher level of abstraction is presented.

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