System factorization in codesign. A case study of the use of formal techniques to achieve hardware-software decomposition

A major element of codesign is the task of decomposing a design in order to target some of its components to hardware and some to software while maintaining the integrity of the execution model. We illustrate how a previously- developed algebraic technique which we call 'system factorization', adapts to this notion of decomposition. As an example, we describe how the mechanization of system factorization was used in the formal derivation of an implementation of Hunt's (1992) FM9001 microprocessor description using the DDD (digital design derivation) system. This case study demonstrates the benefits to system-level design in combinational-reasoning systems, hardware synthesis tools, and a hardware development platform in an integrated prototyping environment.< >