Modeling Computer Hardware Platforms using DEVS and HLA Simulation

摘要

We introduce the use of DEVS and the HLA for the development of embedded computer systems. Modeling and simulation can play an important role in the development of such systems by allowing earlier feedback on component integration. Our objective is to describe how general hardware components can be modelled and integrated at a level of abstraction that can be used by systems and software developers, and how these general models can be programmed for a specific hardware platform. The differing focus of hardware and software development tools often results in a significant gap in the levels of abstraction of the resulting component models. In the proposed approach, a set of general hardware components is designed using DEVS. The general components are then programmed for specific hardware components and used to simulate a specific hardware platform. The hardware models interact with each other in a simulation environment based on the HLA (High Level Architecture). A unique feature of the resulting simulation is that coupled DEVS models are not used, and as a result, the DEVS simulation middleware can be simplified by direct use of HLA services. The proposed approach is verified by a case study in which an Intel 8088-based computer system is modelled and simulated.