Separating modeling and simulation aspects in hardware/software framework-based modeling languages

As transistor integration reaches the order of billions, the already significant productivity gap which plagues the silicon industry will only widen further. Many are working on the problem from different angles. Some regard domain-specific modeling languages as a solution. Others believe in modeling languages which are based on a library/framework approach. Yet others believe in sophisticated proprietary tools. None of the current paths seem to be silver bullets. However, object-oriented framework-based solutions, such as SystemC, are gaining a great deal of momentum and acceptance from the industry. Despite all the efforts which have been spent on the development of these types of solutions, very few efforts have been spent on the cornerstone task of investigating which software design techniques and technologies should be used to develop effective framework-based solutions. The main objective of this article is to present how modem software engineering technologies may be used to create better framework-based modeling solutions. These solutions are characterized by a clear separation of concerns between modeling and simulation aspects. A novel modeling framework called SoCML is presented which possesses the above characteristic. SoCML has many benefits such as verification by interception and alternative simulation support.