A model for the coanalysis of hardware and software architectures

Successful multiprocessor system design for complex real-time embedded applications requires powerful and comprehensive, yet cost-effective, productive, and maintainable modeling. The multi-disciplinary, VHDL-based modeling library developed by the Honeywell Technology Center places heavy emphasis on multiprocessing and distributed communications. These models focus on detailed hardware performance analysis along with multiple abstraction levels for software representation and evaluation. This paper details the processor model which provides the key element for the coanalysis of hardware and software system architectures.