DSP architecture design using a case tool

This document describes the method developed for designing DSP architectures with simulations done with Teamwork CASE environment. The method is closely coupled with the Teamwork, but the same approach can also be used with other proper tools. First, a DSP system is modeled into the algorithm abstraction level using structured analysis. Next, the probable implementation technologies are analyzed. The performance criteria for the algorithms are derived from the DSP system specifications and transferred into the SA model. The initial software/hardware interface is specified. The DSP architecture is simulated with +50 % performance margins and a trace file is generated from the simulation. The trace file is used in order to analyzing the processing load of hardware modules. The DSP architecture is optimized, as far as possible, with the aid of simulations. The method analysis is based on a practical design, in which a DSP architecture was successfully designed with Teamwork CASE environment and optimized in the sense of the amount of implementation hardware. An improved method is also presented, in which the Teamwork CASE environment is used only for modeling and DSP system architecture design. Technology dependent architectures are designed with specific implementation tools. This approach results as a more accurate and realizable simulation results, in which big performance margins can be discarded. The automated DSP architecture design tools are now on the technology dependent level, but are expected to develop also into the DSP system level.