Co-simulation ofWireless Local Area Network Terminals with Protocol Software Implemented in SDL

Abstract

This paper presents the verification of our WLAN terminal (TUTWLAN), with its medium access control protocol and test applications, using cycle-accurate hardware/ software co-simulation. The protocol software has been implemented using SDL and automatic C code generation. The hardware implementation of the terminal contains hardware accelerators for time-critical protocol functions. Full system co-simulations were used for both the functional verification and performance evaluation of a single TUTWLAN terminal as well as a network of terminals. With simulations, the performance bottlenecks were identified, and the results enable the implementing of the next generation TUTWLAN terminal as a single-chip.