Functional Modeling

Summary

In this chapter we have seen how sc_thread processes and sc_fifo channels can be used to write untimed functional models in a dataflow-oriented way. The main difference to “classical” dataflow approaches is the use of finite sized FIFO channels. Functional modeling in SystemC goes beyond this, though. Processing delays are introduced easily via wait (sc_time). Furthermore, avariety of communication schemes—without being restricted to point-to-point protocols—can be used. As an example, we have seen FIFO and signal-based communication peacefully coexist when we discussed ways to terminate a simulation after all relevant data has been generated.