HDL-based modeling of embedded processor behavior for retargetable compilation

The concept of retargetability enables compiler technology to keep pace with the increasing variety of domain-specific embedded processors. In order to achieve user retargetability, powerful processor modeling formalisms are required. Most of the recent modeling formalisms concentrate on horizontal, VLIW-like instruction formats. However, for encoded instruction formats with restricted instruction-level parallelism (ILP), a large number of ILP constraints might need to be specified, resulting in less concise processor models. This paper presents an HDL-based approach to processor modeling for retargetable compilation, in which ILP may be implicitly constrained. As a consequence, the formalism allows for concise models also for encoded instruction formats. The practical applicability of the modeling formalism is demonstrated by means of a case study for a complex DSP.