Draft 1 Standard SystemC AMS Extensions
OSCI has released the AMS Draft 1 Standard introducing system-level design and modeling of embedded Analog/Mixed-Signal (AMS) systems using SystemC AMS extensions. The AMS draft 1 standard has been developed by the OSCI AMS working group and proposes unique capabilities for the design and modeling of embedded analog/mixed-signal applications at various levels of design abstraction. These AMS extensions will provide a uniform and standardized modeling approach, which can be used in combination with digitally-oriented ESL design methods, supporting a design refinement methodology for functional modeling, architecture exploration, and virtual prototyping of embedded analog/mixed-signal systems.
Download the AMS Draft 1 Standard
The AMS draft 1 standard includes the AMS draft language reference manual (LRM), the requirements specification, a whitepaper introducing the AMS language constructs, and a first example showing the basic capabilities of the AMS extensions.
The kit is now available for download. Access to the kit is subject to the terms of the OSCI Open Source License.
Public Review Open until March 31, 2009
SystemC users, system architects, ESL tool developers and AMS IP providers are encouraged to start interacting with the AMS working group to discuss the AMS draft 1 standard. The community can participate and provide feedback during the public review using the public AMS discussion forum. Members of OSCI can participate in the AMS working group, which will continue to advance the AMS standard, addressing important topics for future releases. The AMS working group plans to present the results of the initial public review and next steps in Q2 2009.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main reason for defining the SystemC AMS draft 1 standard?
The AMS draft 1 standard fulfills the need of the electronics industry to have a standardized system-level modeling language for AMS applications based on SystemC. The AMS draft 1 standard proposes the first definitions for the design and modeling of embedded analog/mixed-signal systems at higher levels of abstraction.
How do the SystemC AMS extensions fit into the spectrum with existing hardware description languages?
The SystemC AMS extensions focus on the system-level and architecture modeling aspects for AMS systems. By having AMS extensions for SystemC, users can build an executable description of the AMS system in a C++ based manner, enabling seamless integration with HW/SW architectures in SystemC and functional descriptions in C and C++.
What is expected from the SystemC community during this public review period?
SystemC community members can give feedback and remarks on the new language constructs that are defined in the draft AMS LRM by joining the AMS discussion forum on www.systemc.org. OSCI currently plans to present the results of the initial public review in Q2 2009.
OSCI released the AMS draft 1 standard today. When is the release for the final (1.0) AMS standard planned? Or will there be a draft 2 first?
This depends on the type of feedback and number of comments OSCI receives as part of the public review of the AMS draft 1 standard. The goal is to make significant progress in 2009 and to plan a next release.
Is there a proof-of-concept simulator available that supports the AMS extensions?
No. The draft AMS LRM is developed to facilitate the creation of new implementations compliant with this new standard.
Does OSCI target the development of an open source proof-of-concept implementation?
The main objective of OSCI is to define and advance SystemC as an open-industry standard for system-level modeling, design and verification. OSCI will evaluate all possible options to promote the availability of an open-source proof-of-concept implementation via its member organizations.
Not all requirements are covered in the AMS draft 1 standard. When will the remaining items appear in the standard?
The AMSWG will continue to improve and enhance the AMS draft 1 standard, based on the feedback it receives from the public review. The important topics will be addressed for upcoming releases based on prioritization by the AMSWG.
The header file in the code example shows "systemc-ams". Does this mean the SystemC-AMS simulator from www.systemc-ams.org can be used?
OSCI is not aware of an implementation that is compliant with the AMS draft 1 standard. The AMSWG will support migration of existing solutions to this new standard, but the release of an implementation compliant with this standard is the responsibility of the implementer.
How should I explore the example systems if there is no proof-of-concept implementation?
The AMSWG is currently addressing the compatibility aspects between the SystemC-AMS prototype simulator available at www.systemc-ams.org and the AMS draft 1 standard in order to prepare the first step towards a proof-of-concept implementation. The progress on the development of an AMS-standard-compliant prototype simulator will be communicated via the AMS discussion forum in Q1 2009.
I would like to learn more about the SystemC AMS extensions. Where can I find books, courses, or other training material?
As the AMS draft 1 standard is totally new, you are not likely to find books or courses about it. As OSCI and the AMSWG continues to promote SystemC and the AMS extensions, you can expect workshops and tutorials during 2009 which will address AMS. So stay tuned!