Modelling of ARM’s PrimeCell DMA Controller (PL080) using SystemC

The System-on-Chip (SoC) Market is predicted to exhibit a robust increase from 2024 to 2032, driven by the broader acceptance of fast and low-power consumption electronic devices and the adoption of IoT devices that require SoCs to do real-time processing. A SoC consists of silicon embedded with software. Its design includes substantial algorithm and architectural development and analysis, like that used in system design. The adopted process methods determine critical characteristics of SoC such as system performance, functionality, and energy consumption. Before releasing the RTL design or silicon prototype, tools must also contain a method for generating embedded applications and system software. Failure to achieve necessary improvements in design efficiency might result in lost market opportunities and increased design costs. SystemC is a comprehensive system design and verification language for hardware and software. It is a language that extends regular C + + through class libraries. It specifically handles Virtual Prototyping (VP), which allows SystemC models to be readily exchanged and organized within a system. By providing a solid modelling foundation for VP, the standard allows for efficient model reuse and modelling efforts across multiple use cases. SystemC is mainly used for high-level hardware systems modelling. In our proposed study, we aim to model the behaviour of ARM Limited's PrimeCell DMA Controller (PL080) using C + + and SystemC libraries. SystemC library functions help us to model the functional behaviours and test their functionality using a test bench.