Fast and accurate timed execution of high level embedded software using HW/SW interface simulation model

We propose a methodology to perform early design stage validation of hardware/software (HW/SW) systems using a HW/SW interface simulation model. Given a SW application described at the OS abstraction level and a HW platform described at an arbitrary abstraction level, we aim at providing the adaptation layer, i.e. simulation model of the HW/SW interface, which will enable the timed HW/SW cosimulation of the entire system at an early design stage before the system design is completed. Experimental results show that our approach is easy to use and efficient while providing fast simulation (up to 3 orders of magnitude faster than a HW/SW cosimulation with instruction set simulator, ISS) and accuracy (86% compared with a HW/SW cosimulation with ISS).