PROJECT RESULT
Design
methodologies
A508: Specification and algorithm/architecture co-design for highly
complex applications in automotive and communication (SpeAC)
High level design
methodologies speed
development of European
SoC devices
Increasing design abstraction
is crucial to fast, efficient
M
development of system-onchip devices, especially
odern vehicles exploit numerous elec-
The MEDEA+ A508 SpeAC project set out to
tronic control units connected via an
build a new generation of system-level front-
advanced communications network that have
ends above current design flows. The goal was to
to satisfy tough real-time and reliability con-
improve significantly the design productivity of
straints. In addition to this complexity, the
SoC solutions for key European car and mobile
for automotive and
highly heterogeneous nature of automotive
communications applications. The high quality
communications applications.
electronics systems, consisting of analogue,
and safety requirements in vehicles as well as
The SpeAC project has
digital, mixed analogue-digital, micro-mech-
the pressure to reduce time to market accom-
achieved great success by
anical and software parts, poses challenges to
panied by increasing functionality in mobile
system-level design methods.
communications demand a well-tailored sys-
using a unified system-level
Mobile communications and multimedia
tem-level methodology and design tools.
design flow in pilot projects
access systems have strict low-power demands
SpeAC addressed the next highest level above
and by adding an
that only can be met with higher levels of inte-
hardware/software co-design on predefined
infrastructure to support
gration. And dramatic demands for new fea-
platforms. The main target was specification,
tures in these areas have increased system
algorithm/architecture
complexity. In addition, ever higher system
architecture generation to provide the applica-
inter-company design.
This approach is leading the
optimisation
and
performance requirements and time-to-mar-
tions-oriented platforms required. To manage
way in the global electronic
ket pressures have required new methods
this layered approach seamlessly, the consor-
system-level (ESL) design
enabling early systems analysis and a seamless
tium included not only chipmakers and sys-
market, with the results
overall design flow.
tems houses but also the R&D centres of sev-
strongly influencing the
evolution of ESL design
eral major electronic design automation (EDA)
Ensuring efficient design flow
vendors.
The MEDEA+ project overcomes design com-
worldwide. A highly
Complete system-on-chip (SoC) devices can pro-
plexity by reusing functional blocks – IP cores
application-oriented
vide the solution but have to be considered
– based on given platforms and modelling at
structure meant project
within the context of the entire electronics sys-
higher levels of abstraction using automated
tem. Architectural decisions must be evaluated
translation to less abstract levels. Integrating
early to ensure an efficient design flow for com-
core development tools/models in more com-
plex systems without time-consuming design
plete systems environments overcomes the
iterations. The most effective method for
problem many small or medium-sized subsys-
improving design efficiency is to raise the level
tem developers run into through lack of con-
of abstraction at which creative work is done.
tact with the final context.
achievements could be
exploited immediately.
Exploiting strong competence
tems design and strengthens Europe’s core
competence in systems engineering and
Despite global uncertainty about future ESL
Design
methodologies
integration.
design, different views on methodology have
consolidated towards the system-level design
Managing complex design
flow supporting heterogeneous, applica-
A508: Specification and algorithm/
architecture-co-design for highly
complex applications in automotive
and communication (SpeAC)
tions-oriented systems specifications propa-
The seamless tailored systems-level design
gated by SpeAC as a result of the strong sys-
flow proposed by SpeAC is now leading the
tems engineering competence in Europe.
way in the global ESL design market. The
The results achieved fulfil and exceed expec-
flow and tool solutions developed at the
tations at the beginning of the project. In the
beginning of the project have already strong-
first pilot trials, a design-time reduction of
ly influenced the evolution of ESL design
75% and a verification-time reduction of 80%
through channels such as EDA project
combined with a more reliable and pre-
partners, standardisation activities for
dictable design process were achieved using
SystemC/SysML, transaction-level modelling
the seamless SpeAC design flow starting
and assertion-based verification.
from a MATLAB/Simulink specification.
As a result of the MEDEA+ project, Europe is
The Simulink-based design and synthesis
now well ahead of the USA and Japan. This
methodology is based on an efficient block-
has been achieved by building on the strong
transformation strategy that includes auto-
systems engineering competence in Europe.
mated test-bench support. In addition,
It results in a highly adaptable design flow
SystemC has been established as the pre-
that can be tailored to specific European
ferred integration and simulation language
application requirements.
at system level. SystemC-based case studies
The newly developed link between analogue
resulted in design time and area reduction
and systems-level design is an important step
of some 30%, combined with consistent per-
to meet customer needs and maintain
Bull
Cadence
EADS Astrium
ETH Zurich
Euro Telematik
FZI Karlsruhe
Infineon Technologies
Italtel
Melexis
NetModule
Politecnico di Milano
Robert Bosch
sci-worx
STMicroelectronics
Synopsys
Tecnotron Elektronik
THALES
TNI-Valiosys
Uni Grenoble/TIMA
formance.
Europe’s good market position in the mixed-
PROJECT LEADER:
Another important step towards a general
signal area. Co-operation between leading
design entry for automotive and mobile
systems integrators and smaller systems
communication applications was to include
developers will strengthen Europe’s position,
Unified/Systems
as both benefit from a common language.
KEY PROJECT DATES:
(UML/SysML) for modelling the structure of
EDA equipment suppliers have started to
the
of
provide the new tools needed for European
Start: February 2001
End: June 2005
UML/SysML and MATLAB/Simulink entries
applications domains, and system-level
into a seamless design flow is a prerequisite
design methods are already helping reduce
for efficient handling of complex heteroge-
time to market and strengthen European
neous designs.
suppliers. All this will help face tough world-
Use of SystemC as the integration language
wide competition and strengthen Europe’s
strongly accelerates application-specific sys-
key industries.
entire
SoC.
Modelling
The
Languages
coexistence
PARTNERS:
Wolfgang Rosenstiel
FZI Karlsruhe
COUNTRIES INVOLVED:
France
Germany
Italy
Switzerland
EUREKA
MEDEA+ Office
140bis, Rue de Rennes
F-75006 Paris
France
Tel.: +33 1 40 64 45 60
Fax: +33 1 40 64 45 89
Email: [email protected]
http://www.medeaplus.org
MEDEA+ !2365 is the industry-driven pan-European
programme for advanced co-operative R&D in
microelectronics to ensure Europe's technological and
industrial competitiveness in this sector on a worldwide basis.
MEDEA+ focuses on enabling technologies for the
Information Society and aims to make Europe a leader in
system innovation on silicon.