UML for hardware and software object modeling

This chapter discusses the HASoC (Hardware and Software Objects on Chip) approach to the development of embedded systems. HASoC is an object-oriented method, which is based on an iterative, incremental lifecycle. The design process, which uses UML notation, begins with the development and validation of a partial, abstract, executable system model, in which the objects are uncommitted to implementation in either hardware or software. This model is then partitioned into hardware and software, on the basis of design constraints, to create a committed model, which is subsequently mapped on to a system platform, and evaluated against design constraints. Subsequent design iterations add further detail to the original model. The method emphasises the reuse of pre-existing hardware and software models to ease the development process. The chapter presents an overview of the method, and a partial case study based on the development of a digital camera. The use of SystemC in the development of executable platform models is also mentioned.