Nonintrusive High-level SystemC Debugging

Abstract

We present a nonintrusive high-level SystemC debugging approach to be used with SystemC v2.0.1 and GNU debugger GDB. Our approach is integrated into an industrial design flow and enables developers to debug designs at high-level working with signals, ports, events, and processes. Thus, one gets quick and concise insight into static structure and dynamic behavior of the design without the burden of gaining detailed knowledge of the underlying SystemC simulation kernel. Only minor transparent changes to SystemC kernel source code are required, whereas there is no need to touch the flow or the designs. Practical experiences show promising results.