EU project readies UML/SysML-based HW/SW codesign tool

PARIS — A first technology solution has emerged from the European Union's Framework7 SATURN project: a UML/SysML-based hardware/software co-design solution based on Artisan Studio, a modeling suite from Artisan Software Tools Ltd. (Cheltenham, England).

The UML/SysML-based hardware/software co-design solution uses an enhanced SysML profile linked to a SystemC code generator for Artisan Studio, the company claimed. This generates executable SystemC which is then translated into VHDL for execution in an FPGA.

Artisan said the generated code can also be used to simulate systems in its EXITE ACE environment, including hardware simulation.

An initial version of the complete tool chain, from design to implementation on the target hardware with optional simulation, has been delivered, Artisan specified.

The tool was developed in conjunction with the University of Paderborn (Germany).

Launched in January 2008, the SATURN (SysML bAsed modeling, architecTUre exploRation, simulation and syNthesis for complex embedded systems) project aims to bridge the current gap between modeling and verification/synthesis in UML based designs of Embedded Systems that are equally composed of HW and SW.

For that, the UML profile for MARTE is assessed for its complementary application with SysML, and significantly improved adding formal semantics of different Models of Computation for integrated modeling and verification environments. By bridging this gap, SATURN expects to demonstrate a significant reduction in time-to-market.

This first phase of the project was focused on hardware (FPGA) modeling. In the next phase, partners aim to expand the environment to offer target processor simulation for software and the simulation of the SystemC in the EXITE ACE environment.

The project will also use the MARTE profile for Formal System Design (ForSyDE), and develop a HetSC profile in collaboration with the University of Cantabria. This is expected later in 2010.