Exploiting the ASM Method for Validation & Verification of Embedded Systems

SystemC (built upon C++) [2] is an IEEE industry-standard language for system-level models, specifically targeted at architectural, algorithmic, transaction-level modelling. Recently, a further improvement has been achieved by trying to combine SystemC with lightweight software modelling languages like UML to describe system specifications. In accordance with the design principles of the OMG’s Model-driven architecture (MDA), we defined a model-driven design methodology for embedded systems [3] based on the UML 2, a SystemC UML profile (for the HW side), and a multi-thread C UML profile (for the SW side), which allows UML modelling of the system at higher levels of abstraction (from a functional level down to RTL level).