Design space exploration techniques for the codesign of embedded data processing systems

Abstract

Embedded systems, which combine an implementation of their functionality in hardware and software, are of increasing interest to information processing in dedicated systems of various areas, such as automotive, instrumentation, robotics or telecom. The requirements of such systems impose a new design methodology known as codesign, and result in co-operating engineering efforts to conceive and to implement efficiently the functionality of an embedded system. This paper presents an approach to an exploration and assessment of feasible solutions from a large design space. The conceptual design phase of embedded systems is emphasised, resulting in efficient methods to capture design specifications, to generate feasible solutions from basic design decisions, and to validate these solutions. The proposed methods are demonstrated for an embedded system for telecom applications.