Architecture description languages

Abstract

Architecture description languages (ADL) enable design automation of embedded processors. The ADL specification is used to generate various executable models, including simulator, compiler, and hardware implementation. The generated models enable various design automation tasks, including exploration, simulation, compilation, synthesis, test generation, and validation. This chapter reviews the existing ADLs in terms of their capabilities in capturing a variety of embedded processors available currently. Existing ADLs can be classified based on two aspects: content and objective. The content-oriented classification is based on the nature of the information an ADL can capture, whereas the objective-oriented classification is based on the purpose of an ADL. Existing ADLs can be classified into various content-based categories, such as structural, behavioral, and mixed ADLs. Similarly, contemporary ADLs can be classified into various objective-oriented categories, such as simulation oriented, synthesis oriented, test oriented, compilation oriented, and validation oriented. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.