A CAD soft prototyping environment for the evaluation of algorithm implementation schemes

Describes a methodology, at present under development, by which different implementation strategies for a chosen signal processing algorithm can be investigated without recourse to the build of a hardware prototype for each implementation scheme. A particular laboratory aim is to use this environment for investigating the application of parallel processing techniques to future sonar processors. The environment utilises a CAD workstation and associated tools, around which an algorithm evaluation framework has been configured. Individual algorithmic processing elements are represented by user defined simulation models, with connections between elements implemented via the CAD workstation schematic circuit editor. The system design is then simulated by the workstation simulator tool which provides performance indicators in respect of the algorithm implementation scheme under test. A brief overview is provided of the necessary workstation tools which leads to a discussion of behavioural language modeling techniques and their relevance to soft prototyping. A description of the approach to soft prototyping is given and illustrated by a simple implementation scheme example