Model Transformation Method of Embedded System Hardware for Improving Design Process Performance

Abstract

Gap between designer productivity and IC technology is a challenge for improving embedded system design methodology. Register Transfer Level (RTL) is a current design abstraction that no longer adequate as the starting abstraction level. It needs a new methodology for facing the lack of RTL. Transaction Level Modeling (TLM) is a candidate design methodology to improve designer productivity. It offers many advantages especially on process time reduction. In this paper, a new model transformation method is proposed for transforming TLM model to RTL model design incrementally. TMC (TLM-RTL Model Communicator) is used as a key component in this method. TMC communicates between TLM and RTL model. GCD (Greatest Common Divisor) processor is designed to show transformation process from TLM to RTL model. The experiment results show that model transformation method using TMC is effective for transforming TLM model to RTL model incrementally. These results show the design process improvement using this method.