Architecture Exploration Using SystemC and Performance Improvement of Network SoC

This paper presents a high-level design methodology applied on an SoC using SystemC. The topic will emphasize on high-level design approach for intensive architecture exploration and verifying cycle accurate SystemC models comparative to real Verilog RTL models. Unlike many high-level designs, we started the poject with working Verilog RTL models in hands, which we later compared our SystemC models to real Verilog RTL models. Moreover, we were able to use the on-chip test board performance simulation data to verify our SystemC-based platform. This paper illustrates that in high-level design, we could have the same accuracy as RTL models but achieve over one hundred times faster simulation speed than that of RTL's. The main topic of the paper will be on architecture exploration in search of performance degradation in source.