Why SystemC

SystemC is a system design and modeling language.

Typically,  today's systems contain both application-specific hardware and software. The prevailing name for this cncurrent and multi-disciplinary approach to the design of the complex systems is electronic system-level design Or ESL.

ESL happens by modeling systems at higher levels of abstraction than traditional methods usd in the past. Portions of the system model are subsequently iterated and refined, as needed. A set of techniques has evolved called Transaction-Level Modeling or TLM to aide with this work.

The primary driver for an ESL methodology is the same driver that drove the evolution of previous design methodologies: increasing design complexity.

The TLM has several use cases: architecural modeling, algorithmic modeling, virtual sofrware development platform, functional verification, hardware refinement.

Algorithmic Modeling:

After completing the design of the actual algorithm (getting it to work), the algorithm architect usually refines the algorithm from a floating-point implementation to  a fixed-point (supported by SystemC) implementation( for hardware implementation).

A language for ESL and TLM: Systemc

• Abstractino spans several levels
• Standard and open language
• Common skill set
• Proper simulation performance and features
• Productivity tool support
• Supports TLM concepts

Systemc is based on C++.