System, method and article of manufacture for interface constructs in a programming language capable of programming hardware architetures

• US 20030105620A1
• Filed: 01/29/2001
• Published: 06/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Celoxica Ltd. (Celoxica Holdings Plc)
• Original Assignee: Celoxica Ltd. (Celoxica Holdings Plc)
• Inventors: Bowen, Matt
• Application Number:
  US09/772,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20030105620A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2117/08 HW-SW co-design, e.g. HW-SW partitioning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/33 Design verification, e.g. functional simulation or model checking

Abstract

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for using a versatile interface. First computer code is written in a first programming language. Included in the first computer code is reference to second computer code in a second programming language. The second computer code is simulated for use during the execution of the first computer code in the first programming language.

Claims

1. A method for using a versatile interface, comprising the steps of:

(a) writing first computer code in a first programming language;

(b) including in the first computer code reference to second computer code in a second programming language; and

(c) simulating the second computer code for use during the execution of the first computer code in the first programming language.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the second computer code is simulated by a first simulator module.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the first simulator module interfaces a second simulator module.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the first simulator module interfaces the second simulator module via a plug-in module.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reference to the second computer code includes a predetermined command in the first computer code.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the second computer code simulates an external device.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first programming language includes Handel-C.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the second programming language is selected from the group consisting of EDIF and VDHL.

9. A computer program product for using a versatile interface, comprising:

(a) first computer code in a first programming language, wherein the first computer code includes reference to second computer code in a second programming language; and

(b) computer code for simulating the second computer code for use during the execution of the first computer code in the first programming language.

10. A computer program product as recited in claim 9, wherein the second computer code is simulated by a first simulator module.

11. A computer program product as recited in claim 10, wherein the first simulator module interfaces a second simulator module.

12. A computer program product as recited in claim 11, wherein the first simulator module interfaces the second simulator module via a plug-in module.

13. A computer program product as recited in claim 9, wherein the reference to the second computer code includes a predetermined command in the first computer code.

14. A computer program product as recited in claim 9, wherein the second computer code simulates an external device.

15. A computer program product as recited in claim 9, wherein the first programming language includes Handel-C.

16. A computer program product as recited in claim 9, wherein the second programming language is selected from the group consisting of EDIF and VDHL.

17. A system for using a versatile interface, comprising:

(a) first computer code in a first programming language, wherein the first computer code includes reference to second computer code in a second programming language; and

(b) logic for simulating the second computer code for use during the execution of the first computer code in the first programming language.

18. A system as recited in claim 17, wherein the second computer code is simulated by a first simulator module.

19. A system as recited in claim 18, wherein the first simulator module interfaces a second simulator module.

20. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the first simulator module interfaces the second simulator module via a plug-in module.