Domain-specific codesign for automated visual inspection systems

In this paper we present a codesign methodology for high-performance Automated Visual Inspection systems (AVIs). The proposal consists in reference hardware/software architecture and its associated coverification environment. The codesign method is stepwise refinement-based process that starts with a preliminary hw/sw partition based on the reference architecture. During refinement the selected hardware blocks are coded using the high level language Handel-C, and the rest of the system using a plugin library. This library allows to model different external components to hardware (software, external devices, etc...) with a behavioural, timing and performance view using software languages like C/C++. As a result of this design flow, we are able to verify and develop AVI systems with a significant improvement on traditional hardware/software codesign times.