Embedded architecture co-synthesis and system integration

Embedded system architectures comprising of software programmable components (e.g. DSP, ASIP, and micro-controller cores) and customized hardware co-processors, integrated into a single cost-efficient VLSI chip, are emerging as a key solution to today's microelectronics design problems. This trend is being driven by new emerging applications in the areas of wireless communication, high-speed optical networking, and multimedia computing. A key problem confronted by embedded system designers today is the rapid prototyping of application-specific embedded system architectures where different combinations of programmable processors and hardware components must be integrated together, while ensuring that the hardware and software parts communicate correctly. In this paper, we present a solution to this embedded architecture co-synthesis and system integration problem based on an orchestrated combination of architectural strategies, parameterized libraries, and software CAD tools.