Design space abstraction and metamodeling for embedded systems design space exploration

Abstract

In this paper, we present a design space exploration (DSE) method for embedded systems, which represents the design space as a categorical graph product, in order to overcome the challenge of performing multiple DSE activities, such as task mapping, processor allocation, and software binding. Moreover, the method adopts a Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) approach, defining a design space metamodel to represent the categorical graph product and other DSE concepts, such as solutions, costs, and DSE activities. Furthermore, exploiting the MDE approach, we use model-to-model transformation rules to implement the design constraints, which guide and prune the design space. The method is applied to the design of a real-life application, and experiments demonstrate its effectiveness.