1. EE4218 Lab 4
SYSTEMC SIMULATION
ENVIROMENT USING
MICROSOFT VISUAL C++ 6.0
GUI based Tools Used:
Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0

2. SEMESTER II 2008/2009
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND
COMPUTER ENGINEERING
EE4218 EMBEDDED HARDWARE SYSTEM
DESIGN
ASSISTANT PROF. HA YAJUN
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF
SINGAPORE
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3. Table of Contents
1. Introduction...............................................................................................................................5
2. Background ...............................................................................................................................5
3 Generating SystemC library......................................................................................................6
3.1 Getting Started ..................................................................................................................6
3.2 Define Directory Structure ................................................................................................6
3.3 Generating and Setting Up the SystemC Library..............................................................7
3.4 Summary ...........................................................................................................................7
4 Worked Example.......................................................................................................................7
4.1 Full Adder Circuit .............................................................................................................7
4.2 Procedure ..........................................................................................................................8
List of Figures
Figure 2-1: SystemC Design Methodology.......................................................................................5
Figure 2-2: SystemC Environment....................................................................................................6
Figure 4-1: Fuller Adder Schematic..................................................................................................8
Figure 4-2 : Create a new Win32 console application ......................................................................8
Figure 4-3: Create an empty project..................................................................................................8
Figure 4-4: New project information ................................................................................................9
Figure 4-5: Specify ‘C++ Language’ ................................................................................................9
Figure 4-6: Specify SystemC ‘src’ path ............................................................................................9
Figure 4-7: Execution window..........................................................................................................9
Figure 4-8: Execution window........................................................................................................10
Figure 4-9: Create a new console application .................................................................................10
Figure 4-10: Select the properties of the console application .........................................................11
Figure 4-11: Save the project ..........................................................................................................11
Figure 4-12: Include the design files into the project......................................................................11
Figure 4-13: Include the SystemC library into the project..............................................................11
Figure 4-14: Include the SystemC header and library binary .........................................................11
Figure 4-15: Make project...............................................................................................................12
Figure 4-16: Build project...............................................................................................................12
Figure 4-17: Windows Command Prompt Output ..........................................................................12
Figure 4-18: Windows Command Prompt Output ..........................................................................13
Figure 4-19: Windows Command Prompt Output ..........................................................................13
List of Tables
Table 4-1: Full Adder Truth Table.....................................................................................................8
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4. iv

5. SystemC Design Methodology
1. Introduction
The current system design methodology has a
This laboratory demonstration exercise is number of problems such as:
designed to provide students with some • Manual conversion from C++ to
reference and experience in simulating system functional models written in
SystemC models in a C++ environment. HDL creates errors
• Disconnect between system model in
This manual first gives students a brief C/C++ and HDL model
introduction on SystemC programming • Multiple system tests
language and explains the steps to generate a
compatible SystemC library binary in the On the other hand, SystemC design approach
Visual C++ 6.0. The SystemC environment offers many advantages over the traditional
has been set up in the laboratory computers approach for system level design. The
and students will not be required to perform SystemC design methodology for hardware is
the steps described in Section 3. However, shown in the Figure 2-1.
students can use the information provided in
this lab manual to set up similar environment
in their own computers.
Next, a simple worked example will be
provided to allow students to familiarize with
running a SystemC design using the above
setup Visual C++ environment.
2. Background
SystemC is a C++ class library and a
methodology that you can use to effectively
create a cycle-accurate model of software
algorithms, hardware architecture, and
interfaces of your SoC (System On a Chip)
and system-level designs. You can use
SystemC and standard C++ development tools
Figure 2-1: SystemC Design Methodology
to create a system-level model, quickly
simulate to validate and optimize the design,
explore various algorithms, and also to Using the SystemC design approach, there is a
provide the hardware and software number of advantages over the current design
development team with an executable methodology, including the following:
specification of the system. An executable • Gradual refinement methodology
specification is essentially a C++ program that • Functional and synthesis models are
exhibits the same behavior as the system when written in a single language
executed.
More information on SystemC can be found in
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6. the User Guide uploaded in the course website. The original SystemC library source files
<systemc-2.0.1.zip> downloadable in the
Simulation SystemC website (www.systemc.org) contains
SystemC can be used to simulate a system. It the necessary (*.cpp) files, (*.h) files and
provides header files and libraries which example files.
describe the classes and contain the simulation
kernel respectively. Any ANSI C++ compiler However, for Borland C++ Builder users,
can compile SystemC code. The SystemC another file <SystemC2.0.1borland.zip> is to
library is used during linking. The resulting be downloaded from the SystemC website.
executable serves as a simulator. An overview This is the SystemC2.0.1 port from the
of using SystemC environment is shown in original library source files to the Borland
Figure 2-2. compiler.
Note that you need to create a new account in
order to download these files. Registering for
a new account is free. <systemc-2.0.1.zip> and
<SystemC2.0.1borland.zip> files can be
downloaded respectively from:
https://www.systemc.org/frs/viewRelease.php
?release_id=13&group_id=5 and
https://www.systemc.org/frs/viewRelease.php
?release_id=21&group_id=6. Or can also
Figure 2-2: SystemC Environment
downloaded from the course complementary
web site at
3 Generating SystemC library http://courses.nus.edu.sg/course/elehy/EE4218
/projects.htm
3.1 Getting Started
1) Install Visual C++ 6.0 / Borland C++ 3.2 Define Directory Structure
Builder 6
The directory structure is defined below to
Visual C++ 6.0 is a commercial software and ease the explanation of interfacing SystemC
is available in the market. An alternative is the with Visual C++ 6.0. The Visual C++ is
Borland C++ Builder version 6 which can be assumed to be installed under <C:Program
download from the NUS web shopping page Files>. The original SystemC library source
(http://helpdesk.nus.edu.sg/webshop/user/web files from <systemc-2.0.1.zip> are extracted
shop.htm). In the web shopping page, you will into <C:SystemCsystemc2.0.1>. In addition,
find the Borland C++ Builder version 6 from three new folders, namely Include, Lib and
the category of Language and Compilers. An Tutorial are to be created in the SystemC
installation request from the Computer Centre folder.
will be required.
2) Download Library Source Files
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7. 3.3 Generating and Setting Up the
SystemC Library This will take a while to compile.
When it completes, you will see
Visual C++ 6.0: additional files in
1) To generate the SystemC library: <C:SystemCsystemc2.0.1-src-
borlandsrc>:
a) Go to <C:SystemCsystemc- 77 OBJ files
2.0.1msvc60systemc>. This systemc2.0.1.lib
directory contains the project and make.log (with 12 warnings)
workspace files to compile the 2) To set up the SystemC library:
`systemc.lib’ library.
b) Double-click on the ‘systemc.dsw’ a) Copy the SystemC-Borland library
file to launch Visual C++ with the binary <systemc2.0.1.lib> to
workspace file. The workspace file <C:SystemCLib>
will have the proper switches set to b) Copy all the header files (*.h) to
compile for Visual C++ 6.0. Select <C:SystemCInclude>
‘Build systemc.lib’ under the Build
menu or press F7 to build
‘systemc.lib’.
3.4 Summary
This will take a while to compile. After completing the steps above, the
When it completes, you will see SystemC library binary will be generated. In
additional files in the Debug folder: addition, the header files and library,
77 OBJ files necessary during compilation of the SystemC
systemc.pch design, are set up.
vc60.pdb
vc60.idb
systemc2.0.1.lib 4 Worked Example
2) To set up the SystemC library: In this section, a simple example will be used
to illustrate the process of setting up a console
a) Copy the generated SystemC library application. Console applications are 32-bit
inary <systemc2.0.1.lib> to programs that run without a graphical
<C:SystemCLib> interface, usually in a console window. These
applications typically do not require much
Borland C++ Builder user input and perform a limited set of
1) To generate the SystemC library functions.
a) Open a Windows Command Prompt
4.1 Full Adder Circuit
b) Change the directory to
<C:SystemCsystemc2.0.1-src-
borlandsrc> Consider a full adder circuit, which can add
c) Type the following command: three bits and gives a bit sum and carry. The
make > make.log truth table and schematic for full adder circuit
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8. is as shown in Table 4-1 and Figure 4-1 d) Specify the ‘Location’ as
respectively. <C:SYSTEMCTUTORIALfull_ad
der>.
e) Click [OK].
A B Cin Sum Carry
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 1 1 0
0 1 0 1 0
0 1 1 0 1
1 0 0 1 0
1 0 1 0 1
1 1 0 0 1
1 1 1 1 1
Table 4-1: Full Adder Truth Table Figure 4-2 : Create a new Win32 console
application
f) In the next dialog box, select an
empty project as shown in Figure 4-3.
Figure 4-1: Fuller Adder Schematic
4.2 Procedure
The source files for this example are created
in the following directory:
<C:SystemCTutorialfull_adder> Figure 4-3: Create an empty project
Visual C++ 6.0: g) Click [Finish]. A dialog box will pop
1) Invoke Visual C++ 6.0. out showing the new project
information as shown in Figure 4-4.
2) Create new project.
a) Click on [File | New ]
b) Select the Projects tab on the dialog
box that appears and select a Win32
Console Application as shown in
Figure 4-2.
c) Specify the ‘Project name’ as
‘full_adder’.
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9. Figure 4-6: Specify SystemC ‘src’ path
4) Add design files into the project.
Figure 4-4: New project information
3) SystemC settings. a) Click [Project | Add To Project | Files].
b) Include all the *.cpp and *.h files
a) Click on [Project | Settings]. design files.
b) First, select the C/C++ tab, and select 5) Include the SystemC library binary.
the ‘C++ Language’ category. Make
sure that the `Enable Run Time Type a) Click [Project | Add To Project | Files].
Information (RTTI)' checkbox is b) Include the <systemc2.0.1.lib> from
checked as shown in Figure 4-5. <C:SystemCLib>.
c) Next, select the ‘Preprocessor’
category, and type the path 6) Start the compilation process.
<C:SystemCsystemc-2.0.1src> in
the text entry field labeled a) Select ‘Build full_adder.exe’ under
‘Additional include directories’ as the Build menu or press F7 to build
shown in Figure 4-6. ‘full_adder.exe’.
d) Click [OK].
7) Select ‘Execute full_adder.exe’ under the
Build menu or press Ctrl+F5 to execute
the project. You will see a Windows
Command Prompt as shown in Figure 4-7.
Figure 4-5: Specify ‘C++ Language’
Figure 4-7: Execution window
8) Test the output.
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10. shown in Figure 4-9.
a) Key in either a ‘0’ or ‘1’ for the C, A c) Click [OK].
and B inputs and press Enter. The
sum and carry of the inputs will be
displayed, as given by the truth table
shown in Table 4.1.
b) There are 5 test operations. Enter
inputs for the other 4 test operations.
An example of the output is as shown
in Figure 4-8.
After the 5th test operation (at the end
of the project execution), the
Windows Command Prompt will
Figure 4-9: Create a new console
prompt you to ‘press any key to
application
continue’ to exit the program.
3) In the “Console Wizard” window, specify
the settings as shown in Figure 4-10 and
click [OK].
4) Save the project.
a) Click on [File | Save Project As…].
b) Type <full_adder.bpr> as the
filename as shown in Figure 4-11.
5) Add the rest of the design files into the
project.
a) Click on [Project | Add to Project…].
b) Include all the design files
<C:SystemCTutorialfull_adder*.c
pp> except <stimulus.cpp> into the
Figure 4-8: Execution window
project as shown in Figure 4-12. In
this case, double-click on
9) Click on [File | Exit] to exit Visual C++ <fulladder.cpp>.
6.0.
Borland C++ Builder:
1) Invoke Borland C++ Builder.
2) Create a new console application.
a) Click on [File | New | Other…].
b) Select Console Wizard in the [New]
tab in the [New Item] window as
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11. Figure 4-10: Select the properties of the
console application
Figure 4-13: Include the SystemC library
into the project
Figure 4-11: Save the project 7) Change the project settings to include the
SystemC header files and library binary.
a) Click on [Project | Options…].
b) Click on the [Directories/Conditionals]
tab as shown in Figure 4-14.
c) Modify [Include path:] to include
“C:SystemCInclude;”.
d) Modify [Library path:] to include
“C:SystemCLib;”.
e) Click [OK].
Figure 4-12: Include the design files into
the project
6) Include the SystemC library binary.
a) Click on [Project | Add to Project…].
b) Select
<C:SystemCLibsystemc2.0.1.lib>
into the project as shown in Figure
4-13.
c) Double-click on <systemc2.0.1.lib>
Figure 4-14: Include the SystemC header
and library binary
8) Start the compilation process.
a) Click on [Project | Make full_adder]
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12. A window is displayed as shown in
Figure 4-15.
b) Click [OK].
Figure 4-17: Windows Command Prompt
Output
Figure 4-15: Make project
11) Test the output.
9) Build the executable. a) Key in either a ‘0’ or ‘1’ for the C, A
and B inputs and press Enter. The
a) Click on [Project | Build full_adder]. sum and carry of the inputs will be
A window is displayed as shown in displayed, as given by the truth table
Figure 4-16. shown in Table 4-1.
b) Click [OK]. b) There are 5 test operations. Enter
inputs for the other 4 test operations.
An example of the output is as shown
in Figure 4-18.
After the 5th test operation (at the end
of the project execution), the
Windows Command Prompt will
disappear.
12) Alternatively, you may view the result by
opening a Windows Command Prompt
Figure 4-16: Build project
manually.
10) Click on [Run | Run] to execute the a) Click on [Start | All Programs |
project. You will see a Windows Accessories | Command Prompt] to
Command Prompt as shown in Figure open the Windows Command Prompt
4-17. b) Change the directory to:
<C:SystemCTutorialfull_adder>
c) Type “full_adder” to execute the
project. The result is the same as the
above step by executing the project in
the Borland C++ IDE. However, the
Windows Command Prompt will not
disappear from the project has been
executed. An example of the output
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13. after the project has been successfully
executed is as shown in Figure 4-19.
Figure 4-19: Windows Command Prompt
Output
Figure 4-18: Windows Command Prompt
Output
13) Click on [File | Save All] to save the
project.
14) Click on [File | Close All] to close the
project.
15) Click on [File | Exit] to exit Borland.
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