Nikhil Narang

EE 599: Cyber-Physical System Design

Paper 1 - Quo Vadis, SLD?

Problem Definition

In Quo Vadis, SLD?, Sangiovanni-Vincentelli lays out system level design methodologies and tools for
higher level design abstractions of embedded systems. He presents the need for such design abstractions
largely by showing how the current design methodologies have made it harder to meet time constraints
and to achieve goals with ever-growing workforces as embedded systems continue to increase in
complexity.

Proposed Approaches

Sangiovanni makes the case for platform-based design approaches by defining multi-level design
abstractions, such that each level maps some functional space with some architectural space. I found it
very helpful to think of Sangiovannis platform-based design approach in terms of current methods of IC
design, in which such abstractions are pretty well-understood. Initially, we define some RTL and we can
verify the functionality of the RTL easily to assure it meets the functional constraints. Then, we can
abstract the RTL to transistor level schematics, using models for nMOS and pMOS transistors, thus,
again, allowing us to assure the design satisfies required parameters while defining further constraints
such as delay and power. And finally, the schematics are translated into layouts which again are verified
and further constrained by area, power usage, etc. Sangiovanni essentially proposes elevating the level of
this design process to embedded systems and other applications. However, he does propose a meet-in-
the-middle approach that involves top-down and bottom-up design on each abstraction level.

Sangiovanni further elevates his proposals by laying out languages for hardware design, embedded
system design, and for computational models, essentially setting the stage for higher level abstractions
that would be required for platform level design. Sangiovanni takes this concept a step further by actually
defining a Metropolis simulation environment for high level design abstractions. In one example, he
applies this environment to the design of a distributed automotive system for steering, braking, and
suspension. The high level environment allows him to quickly compare various CAN configurations and
pick the most suitable design to minimize priority inversions when different priority messages are emitted
from the same ECU.

Strengths, Novel Ideas

Sangiovannis design methodology undoubtedly speeds up the design process for embedded systems and
has the potential to be applied to a myriad of fields and applications. The Metropolis framework that he
describes is a novel approach to system based design and provides a great tool for analyzing statically and
dynamically functional designs.

Weaknesses, Possible Limitations

My main concern with Metropolis, or a system like it, is the requirement for accepted frameworks for
sub-systems that are common among all OEMs. I understand the need for such standardizations from a
cost perspective, but I find that it might be difficult to achieve uniform standards across a whole breadth
of different OEMs with already accepted methods for implementing embedded systems. However,
Sangiovanni makes the point that despite the difficulty of this, it may happen out of necessity for lower
cost, high efficiency design processes.