Use of VHDL within a system level design flow

The Automation Systems group at IFAT is working at a HW/SW codesign methodology, which is based on the formal description technique SDL. The methodology uses SDL at system level and VHDL and C for implementation specification. In this document the hardware part of this HW/SW codesign methodology is discussed in detail. The experiences with this methodology are represented. The use of formal description languages at system level in comparison to VHDL is discussed. Concepts in regard to reconfigurable logic are discussed. An approach for a top-down methodology for this kind of logic is proposed.