Interface optimization during hardware-software partitioning

We present an approach allowing communication optimization during the hardware-software partitioning task. Our methodology focuses on systems represented by a dataflow graph whose nodes are elements of libraries. To abstract the communication constraints, we include communication nodes in this graph. Consequently assignment and scheduling of communications and operations can be determined together by the same partitioning algorithm. During partitioning, protocol optimization and bus scheduling are realized. We illustrate with a telecommunication system example the feasibility and the usefulness of our methodology.