Modeling a Fully Scalable Reed-Solomon Encoder/Decoder over GF(p^{m}) in SystemC

In this paper we describe how to model arithmetic circuits over GF(p^m) in SystemC. An extension of a GF(2^m) multiplier is presented to support GF(p^m) arithmetic as well. A full integration in the simulation environment is discussed and the proposed solution can be fully synthesized down to hardware. This finds application in e.g. cryptographic systems. As a case study a Reed-Solomon encoder/decoder system was developed with full GF(pm) encoding/decoding capability. It is shown that the modeling of a HW/SW co-design system in SystemC can improve the speed of simulation by a factor of up to 17.