I am honored and delighted to write the foreword to this very first book about SystemC. It is now an excellent time to summarize what SystemC really is and what it can be used for. The main message in the area of design in the 2001 International Te- nologyRoadmapfor Semiconductors (ITRS) isthat“cost ofdesign is the greatest threat to the continuation ofthe semiconductor roadmap. ” This recent revision of the ITRS describes the major productivity improvements of the last few years as “small block reuse,” “large block reuse ,” and “IC implementation tools. ” In order to continue to reduce design cost, the - quired future solutions will be “intelligent test benches” and “embedded system-level methodology. ” As the new system-level specification and design language, SystemC - rectly contributes to these two solutions. These will have the biggest - pact on future design technology and will reduce system implementation cost. Ittook SystemC less than two years to emerge as the leader among the many new and well-discussed system-level designlanguages. Inmy op- ion, this is due to the fact that SystemC adopted object-oriented syst- level design—the most promising method already applied by the majority of firms during the last couple of years. Even before the introduction of SystemC, many system designers have attempted to develop executable specifications in C++. These executable functional specifications are then refined to the well-known transaction level, to model the communication of system-level processes.

SystemC provides a robust set of extensions to C++ that enables rapid development of complex hardware/software systems. This book focuses on the practical uses of the language for modeling real systems. The wealth of examples and downloadable code methodically guide the reader through the finer points of the SystemC language. This work provides: - A step-by-step build-up of syntax - NEW features of SystemC 2.1 - Code examples for each concept, - Many resource references - Coding styles and guidelines - Over 52 downloadable code examples (over 8,000 lines) - Exercises throughout the book - How SystemC fits into the system design methodology - Why features are as they are Well known consultants in the EDA industry, both David Black and Jack Donovan have been involved in the adoption and teaching of new technologies and methodologies for a combined total of 42+ years. Recently, they jointly founded a consultancy, Eklectic Ally, focused on helping companies adopt SystemC methodologies.

SystemC provides a robust set of extensions to the C++ language that enables rapid development of complex models of hardware and software systems. The authors focus on practical use of the language for modeling real systems, showing: A step-by-step build-up of syntax Code examples for each concept Over 8000 lines of downloadable code examples Updates to reflect the SystemC standard, IEEE 1666 Why features are as they are Many resource references How SystemC fits into an ESL methodology This new edition of an industry best seller is updated to reflect the standardization of SystemC as IEEE 1666 and other improvements that reflect feedback from readers of the first edition. The wide ranging feedback also include suggestions from editors of the Japanese and Korean language translations, professors and students, and computer engineers from a broad industrial and geographical spectrum, all who have successfully used the first edition. New chapters have been added on the SystemC Verification Library and the Transaction Level Modeling, and proposed changes to the current SystemC standard. David Black and Jack Donovan, well known consultants in the EDA industry, have teamed with Bill Bunton and Anna Keist, experienced SystemC modeling engineers, to write the second edition of this highly popular classic. As a team the authors bring over 100 years of ASIC and system design experience together to make a very readable introduction to SystemC.

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DESCRIPTION: (This softcover edition of the book has no accompanying CD). This is a beginner's book on SystemC targeted for both system designers as well as logic designers. Designers who already know VHDL or Verilog HDL will find the book very easy to read and learn about SystemC. Designers can in a very short time start writing SystemC models and simulating them with the information provided in the book. An excellent foreword has been provided by Stan Krolikoski, the Open SystemC Initiative Chairman -- " ...a primer that gradually introduces the reader to the complexities of SystemC by reference to common digital design concepts ..." REVIEW: "Is easy to understand for anyone with digital logic design background . . . suitable as an introduction book to SystemC . . . Examples are very helpful" - Xiaoyan Huang "I enjoyed reading the SystemC Primer book. It was very easy to read and the examples were excellent. I feel like I have a good understanding of the language. I felt that the examples showed the positive attributes of the new language specifically the parameterization of models so they can be reusable. By using the examples the designer can focus more on the design itself and not the language" - Jean Witinski "This is a very useful book for those interested in SystemC for hardware design. It has many practical examples and gives pragmatic advice on what is possible with hardware synthesis" - Grant Martin, Fellow, Cadence Labs "This book provides an excellent introduction to SystemC. SystemC concepts are clearly explained and illustrated with practical examples. It is a must read for people interested in modeling hardware in SystemC" - Abhijit Ghosh, Synopsys "This is definitely a reference for designers who want to learn SystemC. Numerous examples guide the reader towards a sound understanding of the language. Higher level SystemC features are introduced and not kept aside. Bottom line, a very good book to SystemC . . . " - Yves Vanderperren, Alcatel Microelectronics "Excellent introduction to SystemC constructs explained with detailed examples, complete with corresponding logic diagrams. A must for every SystemC designer's desk" - Sanjiv Narayan "I enjoyed reading it. Recommended to designers learning SystemC for modeling and synthesis . . . it will also be welcomed on both graduate and advanced undergraduate courses" - David Long, Doulos "Well suited as a text book for students and a great value for hardware designers that want to get started with SystemC" - Bernhard Niemann, Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits

This comprehensive survey on the state of the art of SystemC in industry and research is organised into 11 self-contained chapters. Selected SystemC experts present their approaches in the domains of modelling, analysis and synthesis, ranging from mixed signal and discrete system to embedded software.

SystemC Kernel Extensions for Heterogeneous System Modeling is a result of an almost two year endeavour on our part to understand how SystemC can be made useful for system level modeling at higher levels of abstraction. Making it a truly heterogeneous modeling language and platform, for hardware/software co-design as well as complex embedded hardware designs has been our focus in the work reported in this book.