System level design with spade: an M-JPEG case study

Abstract

In this paper we present and evaluate the Spade (System level Performance Analysis and Design space Exploration) methodology through an illustrative case study. Spade is a method and tool for architecture exploration of heterogeneous signal processing systems. In this case study we start from an M-JPEG application and use Spade to evaluate alternative multi-processor architectures for implementing this application. Spade follows the Y-chart paradigm for system level design; application and architecture are modeled separately and mapped onto each other in an explicit design step. Spade permits architectures to be modeled at an abstract level using a library of generic building blocks, thereby reducing the cost of model construction and simulation. The case study shows that Spade supports efficient exploration of candidate architectures; models can be easily constructed, modified and simulated in order to quickly evaluate alternative system implementations.